The Northern Lights

The Northern Lights Are Coming for the U.S. Tonight — Here's Where to See Them

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STACEY LEASCA 

Summer 2018 is bringing a lot of celestial surprises. This week alone, people are not only going to get a view of the Strawberry moon, but those lucky enough to live in the northern U.S. may even get a view of the Northern Lights.


According to the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), a G1 geomagnetic storm is expected to arrive tonight, Tuesday, June 26 and last through the evening of June 27.

Geomagnetic storms are measured on a scale of G1 to G5. G1 is a relatively minor storm that only causes increased aurora borealis activity, while a G5 could cause rolling blackouts.

The storm that will hit this week will be minor, but is indeed expected to cause an uptick in activity with the Northern Lights. And that means people in states like Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin could catch a glimpse of the gorgeous lights. Of course, if you’re very lucky and happen to be in Alaska, seeing the Northern Lights this week is a near guarantee.

If you’re hoping to see the Northern Lights this week, or any other time this year when another geomagnetic storm hits, try to find the darkest place possible, such as one of the several dark sky parks across the United States. There, light pollution is restricted, meaning you’ll get a better view of the aurora borealis show. And, even if you don’t get to see the purple, green, and yellow magnetic light, you’ll at the very least get a really good look at the stars above. And really, that’s a pretty good consolation prize.