Topline<\/p>\n
A strong geomagnetic storm could produce northern lights displays stretching as far south as New York on Saturday night, according to a forecast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast.<\/p>\n
NOAA says the northern lights could be visible as far south as New York on Saturday. (Photo by Hasan Akbas\/Anadolu via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Anadolu via Getty ImagesKey Facts<\/p>\n
NOAA projects Saturday\u2019s northern lights display will have a Kp index of 6, a measure of strength on a scale of 0 to 9, indicating auroral activity that stretches \u201cfurther from the poles\u201d and is \u201cquite bright and active.\u201d<\/p>\n
The strong aurora is expected to follow a moderate geomagnetic storm<\/a>, measured at a level of G2 on a scale of G1 to G5, which NOAA projected would take place between Friday and Saturday. <\/p>\n High-speed solar winds are expected to eject from the sun and head toward Earth, which NOAA says typically increases the level of geomagnetic activity in the Earth\u2019s atmosphere, producing visible northern lights displays.<\/p>\n The lights are expected to die down after the storm but may still be visible in some northern states and Alaska on Sunday night, as NOAA projects a Kp index of 3.67.<\/p>\n What States May See The Northern Lights On Saturday?<\/p>\n NOAA says the northern lights may be visible \u201cover some northern and upper Midwest states from New York to Idaho.\u201d NOAA typically publishes a map depicting the aurora\u2019s projected \u201cview line,\u201d or the southernmost point at which it will be visible, but it says its maps are temporarily unavailable. In another release<\/a>, the NOAA said the aurora \u201cmay be seen as low as New York to Wisconsin to Washington state.\u201d<\/p>\n What\u2019s The Best Way To See The Aurora Borealis?<\/p>\n NOAA recommends those hoping to catch the lights should travel as far north as possible and find a high vantage point that lacks light pollution. The lights are most visible when it is dark outside, and NOAA recommends looking within an hour or two of midnight, between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time.<\/p>\n What\u2019s The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights?<\/p>\n Travel photographers told National Geographic<\/a> the ideal way to photograph the northern lights is by using a tripod to stabilize the image, a wide-angle lens and a lower shutter speed. Photographers using their iPhone should enable the camera\u2019s night mode, turn off flash and shoot in the RAW format.<\/p>\n Key Background<\/p>\n The northern lights made regular appearances in the night skies over the United States between 2024 and 2025 as the sun experienced its \u201csolar maximum,\u201d or a period of heightened geomagnetic storms and other activity. NASA said<\/a> the lights hit a 500-year peak, as the frequency of aurora displays exceeded scientists\u2019 expectations. In some extreme cases, the auroras were visible as far south<\/a> as Texas and Florida. A handful of geomagnetic storms in recent weeks<\/a> have produced strong northern lights shows.<\/p>\n Further Reading<\/p>\n