The northern lights could become visible across parts of the northern U.S. overnight on Wednesday, Sept. 16, into Thursday, Sept. 17, as fast streams of solar wind and two coronal mass ejections — clouds of magnetic fields and charged particles from the sun — interact with Earth’s magnetic field.

Space weather forecasters are predicting a G1-class geomagnetic storm, which could bring aurora into view from northern U.S. states near the Canadian border. If that happens — and nothing is guaranteed — you can photograph the northern lights with a phone . However, there’s also a chance of G2 and even G3-class geomagnetic storms.

The promising forecast comes just days after a new moon, so only a crescent moon will be in the night sky and will set early.

Northern Lights Forecast For Tonight

According to a forecast by space weather experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, “the geomagnetic field is likely to reach active to G1 (Minor) storm levels on 15 and 16 Sep, with a chance for G1 conditions on 17 Sep.”

The UK’s Met Office states that on Sept. 16, “combined fast winds and possible coronal mass ejection glancing blows early and late, bringing likely G1/Minor (Kp5), Chance of G2/Moderate (Kp6) and slight chance of G3/Strong (Kp7) storming.”

Northern Lights Alert: Where To See The Aurora

If G1 geomagnetic storm conditions develop, the aurora could become visible from dark locations across northern-tier U.S. states near the Canadian border. States that could see aurora include parts of Alaska, North Dakota, Maine, Minnesota, Vermont, Montana and New Hampshire, with a faint auroral glow low on the northern horizon from parts of Washington, Idaho, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Michigan.

Should geomagnetic activity briefly strengthen to G2 levels, the auroral oval could expand farther south, potentially allowing photographers in states such as Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Colorado, Pennsylvania and New York to capture faint displays. However, visibility is never guaranteed.

How, When And Where To See The Northern Lights

Skywatchers hoping to witness aurora should head to a dark location with unobstructed views of the northern horizon. Aurora visibility will ultimately depend on the strength of the solar wind, cloud cover, light pollution and the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field. The latter, known as Bz, is critical — when Bz points south, it can connect more efficiently with Earth’s magnetic field, allowing energy and charged particles to enter the magnetosphere.

A sustained period of southward Bz could make the aurora brighter and push it farther south than expected. If Bz remains northward, however, the resulting display may be weak or restricted to higher latitudes. Use apps such as Aurora Now, My Aurora Forecast or Glendale Aurora for up-to-the-minute alerts and live solar wind data.

Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.