Northern Lights May Be Visible in the US This Weekend Thanks to Solar Storm

Aug. 31, 2019

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3 min read

Northern Lights May Be Visible in the US This Weekend Thanks to Solar Storm

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The National Weather Service Space Prediction Center has issued a warning of a G2 solar event for this weekend. This means that it could be possible to see the aurora borealis farther south than normal on Saturday and Sunday. While viewing the northern lights is usually restricted to parts of Alaska and Canada for the Western Hemisphere, the current solar conditions could allow for viewing in parts of the continental United States.

While the aurora will be closer to home than normal, you will still need to be fairly close to the Canadian border if you're hoping to catch a glimpse of the dancing lights. You will also, of course, want to be in a dark location, free of light pollution for the best viewing.

Northern lights blazing over lake Thingvellir national park in Iceland. Photo by Getty Images

According to Travel + Leisure, these are some of your best options for viewing the northern lights:

Isle Royal National Park, Michigan
Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Michigan
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin
Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Glacier National Park, Montana
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Of course, if seeing the northern lights is on your travel bucket list and you can't make it to one of the locations above, you can check out the posts below to help you plan the perfect trip:

Northern Lights Viewing Season Is Back: Here Are the Best Places to See Them
The Trendiest Places to See the Northern Lights Now
You Can Go on a 24-Hour Hunt for the Northern Lights in Norway

If you're looking to track the storm, you can head over to the National Weather Service Space Weather Prediction Center's website for the latest updates on solar activity and the forecast for where you will be likely to see the aurora activity.