Aurora enthusiasts in northern parts of the U.S. and Canada are in for a treat this Thanksgiving, as a solar storm is expected to send the northern lights, or aurora borealis, further south than usual, according to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecast.
The increased solar activity has already made this year a remarkable one for aurora sightings opportunities, and NOAA has now issued a geomagnetic storm watch for both Thanksgiving and Black Friday.
Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming northern lights and how to catch a glimpse of them this Thanksgiving.
Where to See the Northern Lights
• Wednesday night: The northern lights may be visible as far south as the Canadian border, with states like Montana, North Dakota, and Minnesota having the best chance of seeing them.
• Thanksgiving night: The auroras will likely extend further south. Best viewing areas will be Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and parts of Wisconsin.
Lower chances can be expected in northern regions of Idaho, South Dakota, Michigan, and Wyoming. States like New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine may also have a lower chance of seeing the northern lights but could still catch a faint glimpse.
When and How Best to View
• Optimal viewing times: The northern lights are most visible between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time.
• Where to watch: Head to high vantage points or areas away from city lights for the best viewing experience.
• How to photograph: For photography, set your camera’s focus to the farthest setting, use a wide aperture, and increase the ISO. If using a smartphone, enable night mode to capture the colors in the sky.
What Causes the Northern Lights?
The northern lights are a natural light display caused by solar activity, including solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). When these events release bursts of charged particles, along with the solar wind, toward Earth, they interact with the planet’s magnetic field, creating the glowing lights visible in the night sky. As Earth is currently experiencing a solar maximum, a phase in the Sun’s 11-year cycle, auroral activity is more intense than usual, providing more opportunities to witness these beautiful displays.