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
Severe Storms and Flooding Return to the Plains & Midwest

Severe Storms and Flooding Return to the Plains & Midwest

Severe weather has returned to parts of the P

14 Oct 2026 2:10 PM
Tropics: Pacific Stays Hyperactive, Atlantic Quiets Down

Tropics: Pacific Stays Hyperactive, Atlantic Quiets Down

Isaias ended the late-season streak of no hur

14 Oct 2026 2:05 PM
Cooler Air & Snow Invades The Rockies

Cooler Air & Snow Invades The Rockies

A digging trough is bringing cooler temperatu

14 Oct 2026 1:50 PM
Hot Weather Baking the Heartland This Week, Cooler Air Incoming

Hot Weather Baking the Heartland This Week, Cooler Air Incoming

More records were broken across the Midwest a

14 Oct 2026 11:00 AM
System Late Week Roars into the Northeast

System Late Week Roars into the Northeast

It's getting to be that time of year! Systems

14 Oct 2026 10:55 AM
Rachel Spreading Moisture Across the Southwest

Rachel Spreading Moisture Across the Southwest

Rachel came ashore in far northwestern Mexico

13 Oct 2026 12:10 AM
Isaias Makes Landfall as A Category 2, Recapping it's Impacts

Isaias Makes Landfall as A Category 2, Recapping it's Impacts

Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, F

12 Oct 2026 11:00 PM