Valentine’s Day Northern Lights: Where & When to See Aurora Borealis 2026
- States are poised for a potentially spectacular Valentine’s Day treat: a display of the aurora borealis, or northern lights.
- The predicted activity stems from a combination of factors, including a recurrent coronal hole and a coronal mass ejection (CME), according to NOAA.
- The best viewing window is expected to be shortly after sunset on both Saturday and Sunday, extending into the overnight hours.
Skywatchers across a dozen U.S. States are poised for a potentially spectacular Valentine’s Day treat: a display of the aurora borealis, or northern lights. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) is forecasting a minor geomagnetic storm this weekend, increasing the likelihood of visible auroras as far south as New York and Maine.
The predicted activity stems from a combination of factors, including a recurrent coronal hole and a coronal mass ejection (CME), according to NOAA. These phenomena contribute to a turbulent solar wind expected to impact Earth on and .
When and Where to Look
The best viewing window is expected to be shortly after sunset on both and , extending into the overnight hours. However, conditions are anticipated to be particularly favorable on , with clearer and darker skies maximizing visibility. The SWPC forecasts G1 storms, which are relatively minor, but sufficient to potentially produce auroral displays at lower latitudes than usual.
Specifically, auroras may be visible in Alaska and the northern portions of Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, and Maine. The key to successful viewing lies in escaping urban light pollution. The darker the skies, the more prominent the auroral display will be.
Capturing the Lights
Fortunately, observing the northern lights doesn’t require specialized equipment. The aurora borealis is visible to the naked eye, appearing as shimmering curtains or arcs of light in the sky. For those hoping to capture the event photographically, modern smartphones equipped with “night mode” can produce surprisingly good results.
For more advanced photographers, a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a wide-angle lens and settings around ISO 1600, an aperture of f/2.8, and exposure times between 2 and 10 seconds are recommended. These settings allow the camera to gather enough light to reveal the subtle colors and details of the aurora.
Beyond the Aurora: A Planetary Alignment
The celestial show doesn’t end with the northern lights. This weekend also presents an opportunity to observe a “planet parade,” with several planets aligning in the night sky. This alignment, while not uncommon, offers a visually striking spectacle for stargazers.
Upcoming Eclipse
Looking ahead, skywatchers can mark their calendars for , when a New Moon Solar Eclipse will be visible. While the path of totality will be limited, observers within that path will experience a complete darkening of the sun, a rare and awe-inspiring event.
Understanding Geomagnetic Storms and Auroras
The aurora borealis is a direct result of interactions between the Earth’s magnetosphere and charged particles from the sun. Coronal holes are regions on the sun’s surface where the magnetic field lines are open, allowing solar wind to escape more easily. CMEs, are larger expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the sun. When these reach Earth, they can cause geomagnetic storms.
These storms compress the Earth’s magnetosphere, and some of the charged particles are funneled along the magnetic field lines towards the poles. As these particles collide with atoms and molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere (primarily oxygen and nitrogen), they excite those atoms, causing them to emit light. The color of the aurora depends on the type of atom being excited and the altitude at which the collision occurs. Green is the most common color, produced by oxygen at lower altitudes, while red is produced by oxygen at higher altitudes. Nitrogen produces blue and purple hues.
While G1 storms are considered minor, they can still impact certain technologies. High-frequency radio communications may be affected, and power grids, while generally resilient, can experience minor fluctuations. Satellite operations may also require adjustments to mitigate potential disruptions. However, for the vast majority of observers, the primary impact will be a beautiful and memorable display of nature’s light show.