Northern Lights may be visible across 15 states this weekend

A surge of solar energy could produce auroras across parts of the northern U.S. late Jan. 16 into early Jan. 17, and NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center forecasts a minor (G1) geomagnetic storm.

An incoming solar storm could make the northern lights visible across parts of the United States late Friday night, Jan. 16, into the early hours of Saturday, Jan. 17. The event is driven by charged particles from a recent solar flare interacting with Earth's magnetic field. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center has forecast a minor (G1) geomagnetic storm. The timing falls just before a new moon on Jan. 18, which would leave darker skies for any faint activity. Key details: - Forecast window: late evening Jan. 16 through early morning Jan. 17, with peak activity most likely before sunrise. - NOAA predicts a minor (G1) geomagnetic storm; activity could intensify if faster solar winds arrive. - If activity stays at G1, auroras may be visible across northern Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota and northern Michigan; stronger (G2) activity could extend visibility into Wisconsin, Washington, Idaho and parts of northern Iowa or Illinois. - States with the strongest odds include Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine, with occasional faint glows possible in far northern Wyoming, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire. - Visibility depends on weather, low light pollution and chance; the article notes that phone Night Mode or Android Pro Mode and longer DSLR exposures are commonly used to capture auroras. Summary: The forecast indicates a modest chance of auroral displays across northern U.S. states during the Jan. 16–17 window, with wider visibility possible if geomagnetic activity strengthens. Observational conditions and space-weather developments will determine outcomes. Undetermined at this time.