Overview

• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a Kp index of 5, indicating the northern lights may be visible farther south than usual.
• States like Alaska, northern Minnesota, North Dakota, and parts of Montana, Wisconsin, and Michigan have the best chances of viewing the aurora borealis.
• The optimal viewing time is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, with darker locations away from light pollution offering the best visibility.
• This increased auroral activity is linked to the sun's current 'solar maximum,' a peak in its 11-year activity cycle, which enhances geomagnetic storms.
• Experts recommend using night mode on smartphones or wide-angle lenses on cameras to capture the vibrant greens, pinks, and other hues of the northern lights.