Trending Now - Aurora Borealis Expected in Multiple US States This Weekend

WHO:

USA Today - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center is involved in predicting aurora visibility.

Live Science - The Royal Observatory Greenwich is referenced in explaining the phenomenon of the northern lights.

WHAT:

USA Today - The aurora borealis is expected to be most intense on April 16 and April 17, 2026.

Live Science - Auroras may be visible as far south as Idaho and New York on April 17 and early April 18, 2026.

Live Science - Moderate (G2) geomagnetic storm conditions are expected from 5 p.m. EDT on April 17 until approximately 2 a.m. EDT on April 18, 2026.

Live Science - The auroras are expected to cause minor to moderate radio blackouts.

WHERE:

USA Today - The best places to see the northern lights include Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Live Science - Skywatchers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont, and Wyoming also have a chance to see the auroras.

WHEN:

USA Today - The aurora borealis will be most intense on April 16 and April 17, 2026.

Live Science - High-speed solar winds and the accompanying corotating interaction region (CIR) are expected to reach Earth on April 17 and 18, 2026.

WHY:

Live Science - The northern lights are caused by a large hole that opened up in the sun's atmosphere, allowing fast-moving solar wind to escape into space.

HOW:

USA Today - The auroras are produced when charged electrons from the sun collide with atoms in Earth's magnetic field, causing them to emit light.

Live Science - The particles from the solar wind collide with atoms and molecules in the atmosphere, causing them to heat up and fluoresce, creating the colorful displays of the northern lights.

(UPDATED April 17, 2026 04:09 UTC)

The aurora borealis is expected to be most intense on Thursday and on Friday, with predictions indicating that auroras may be visible as far south as Idaho and New York on Friday and early April 18th. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center is forecasting moderate geomagnetic storm conditions, which could lead to minor to moderate radio blackouts from 5 p.m. EDT on Friday until approximately 2 a.m. EDT April 18th. Skywatchers in states like Illinois, Indiana, and Vermont are among those who may have the best chance to witness this stunning natural phenomenon, which occurs when charged electrons from the sun collide with Earth's atmosphere, creating vibrant displays of light.