5 things you need to know about the northern lights tonight
- A massive solar flare on the sun's surface is set to trigger a strong G3-level geomagnetic storm, meaning the aurora borealis could be visible much farther south than usual tonight, reaching places like Oregon, Iowa, and Pennsylvania if skies are clear.
- Peak visibility window is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, so plan to step outside then for the best chance to see the dancing green and red lights overhead.
- No special camera needed, your smartphone's night mode can often capture the aurora more vividly than the naked eye, so be ready to snap a photo even if you don't see much color at first.
- Light pollution is your biggest enemy, avoid city lights and find a dark spot with a clear, unobstructed view of the northern horizon to maximize your chances of spotting the display.
- Check local weather apps for cloud cover forecasts, because even the strongest solar storm can't break through heavy clouds, you need clear skies for the show to be visible.