Aurora Likely Visible Early Tuesday Morning for the Northern U.S.

news image
Special Stories
19 Sep 2023 2:25 AM

An aurora could be visible tonight for the northern tier of the United States as a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) event peaks solar radiation! The best time to view the aurora will be 4 - 7 AM Central Time, but the earlier the better due to the dark conditions. Overnight will be a new moon so very little moonlight will detract from the aurora visibility.

According to the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the aurora will be visible through Tuesday morning from "Helena [MT to] Minneapolis [MN to] Milwaukee [WI to] Bay City, Toronto [Canada to] Montpelier [Vermont]" The aurora may even be visible along the horizon for Boise, ID, Lincoln, NE, Indianapolis, IN and Annapolis, MD!

The reason for the aurora is from a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) that is expected on Tuesday. The "K-index" is used to "characterize the magnitude of geomagnetic storms" according to NOAA. Tuesday's K-index will be on the order of mid-levels. According to NOAA, "Kp is an excellent indicator of disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field and is used by [space weather prediction center] to decide whether geomagnetic alerts and warnings need to be issued for users who are affected by these disturbances".

For more on geomagnetic storms and potential impacts for the U.S., watch Meteorologist Alana Camera as she heads inside the Space Weather Prediction Center located in Boulder, CO!

All Weather News
More
Monster Storm System Will Wallop California

Monster Storm System Will Wallop California

After a warm and dry January, the pattern out

16 Feb 2026 5:20 PM
Fire Danger Upgraded to Extreme Threat in the Central Plains

Fire Danger Upgraded to Extreme Threat in the Central Plains

Fire outlooks have been issued across the fro

16 Feb 2026 5:15 PM
Weirdly Warm February on the Plains

Weirdly Warm February on the Plains

More record high temperatures were broken acr

16 Feb 2026 5:10 PM
Rounds of Snow Return to the Rockies

Rounds of Snow Return to the Rockies

ROCKIES - A round of snow and rain is leaving

16 Feb 2026 12:20 PM
Severe Storms Target the South Sunday

Severe Storms Target the South Sunday

Storms flew through Texas, Louisiana, and Mis

15 Feb 2026 11:05 PM
Lingering Snow in the Northeast

Lingering Snow in the Northeast

NORTHEAST - As this next clipper system cont

12 Feb 2026 8:05 AM
Cold Air Remains Across the Northeast

Cold Air Remains Across the Northeast

It was another cold morning on Monday across

10 Feb 2026 2:50 AM