Here are the 14 states where the Northern Lights could be visible on Thanksgiving

Topline

Several states in the northern United States could have a chance to see the Northern Lights on Thanksgiving night Friday as a geomagnetic storm is expected to pull the aurora borealis south, according to a forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The Northern Lights appear over Anchorage, Alaska in the early morning of October 11, 2024.

Important facts

The Aurora Borealis forecast for Thursday evening has a Kp index of five on a scale of nine, meaning the aurora will be brighter and have more auroral activity, making it “very pleasant to view” in the right location, according to NOAA.

NOAA is also forecasting a mild to moderate or major geomagnetic storm Thursday night into Friday due to “potential impacts from a filament eruption” that occurred Monday.

Geomagnetic activity causes the appearance of the Northern Lights when ions collide with atmospheric gases from Earth, creating auroral phenomena. Earlier this week, NASA predicted up to 16 solar flares and 35 coronal mass ejections from the Sun’s surface this week.

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Where can you see the Northern Lights on Thanksgiving?

NOAA predicts that the Northern Lights will be visible above its line of sight (see image below) in portions of Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, northern Iowa, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire could be and Maine.

NOAA’s line-of-sight forecast for Thanksgiving.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

What is the best way to see the Northern Lights?

It is best to see the Northern Lights in dark places, away from the bright city lights. Scientists say the best time to see them is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time and recommend a good vantage point with a clear view to the north.

How can you photograph the Northern Lights?

If you’re capturing the lights with a regular camera, set the focus to the widest setting possible, a wide aperture, and a high ISO. If you’re using a smartphone camera, it’s best to turn on night mode with a wide aperture, according to the Icelandic tourism website.

Important background

The sun is currently in the maximum phase of its 11-year cycle, which began in 2019, meaning solar bursts and northern lights will occur more frequently. Sunspots and coronal mass ejections are expected to continue next year and into 2026, adding more colorful movement to the sky. According to NASA, the colors are a result of magnetic reconnection, or the process by which magnetic fields take on new shapes, similar to over-stretched rubber bands. In May, aurora activity reached its strongest peak, producing the strongest auroras seen in about 500 years, with people reaching as far away as Arizona.

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