Skywatchers in the northern United States could be treated to another spectacular display of the Northern Lights this week as Earth continues to pass through a stream of fast solar wind — and two incoming coronal mass ejections (CMEs) may intensify the show even more.

 

According to a forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), geomagnetic activity is expected to remain elevated from Sunday, October 5, through Tuesday, October 8. This means the chances of seeing auroras across northern U.S. states are higher than usual, especially during nighttime hours.

 

The Northern Lights — also known as the aurora borealis — occur when charged particles from the Sun collide with gases in Earth’s upper atmosphere, creating glowing curtains of light that ripple across the sky. Strong solar winds and CMEs can supercharge this process, pushing the auroras further south than usual.

 

 Where to Look:

The aurora may be visible in as many as 12 northern U.S. states, including parts of Washington, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, and Maine. Under stronger conditions, sightings could extend even farther south.

 

 A Full Moon Factor:

One thing to keep in mind — the full Harvest Moon on October 6 could make the aurora appear fainter due to increased brightness in the night sky. However, this doesn’t mean the show is canceled. It’s still worth heading out to dark, rural locations away from city lights and keeping your eyes on the northern horizon.

 

 How to Watch:

 

Go to a dark area far from city lights.

 

Look north, especially near midnight, when auroras are most active.

 

Allow your eyes 15–20 minutes to adjust to the darkness.

 

Bring a camera — auroras can appear more vivid in photos than to the naked eye.

 

With elevated geomagnetic activity expected through early next week, now is the perfect time to keep watch for the Northern Lights. Even if you’ve never seen them before, this could be one of your best chances in 2025 to witness one of nature’s most breathtaking sky shows.