Rare auroras could light up skies as far south as Illinois and Oregon
Tonight, Tuesday, June 3, skywatchers across the northern United States may witness one of nature’s most mesmerizing phenomena: the northern lights. Thanks to an ongoing geomagnetic storm triggered by a coronal mass ejection (CME) that struck Earth’s magnetic field early on June 1, conditions remain highly favorable for auroral activity across much of the country.
What’s causing the northern lights tonight?
The source of this celestial spectacle is a fast-moving CME that disrupted the Earth’s magnetic field, intensifying space weather conditions. Forecasts from the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center indicate a potential Kp index peak of 6.67, which suggests strong G3 storm conditions. These storms can push auroral visibility well beyond their usual polar zones.
According to NOAA and the U.K. Met Office, the auroral oval is currently stretching southward, increasing the odds of visible auroras far below the Arctic Circle.
Which states could see the aurora borealis tonight?
If current geomagnetic storm levels hold, the following 15 states may see the aurora borealis, particularly after 1 a.m. local time, which is generally the best time during summer nights due to shorter windows of darkness. These states are listed in descending order of likelihood, based on their proximity to the auroral oval:
Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Massachusetts.
Illinois and Oregon are on the southern edge of the current forecast range, meaning that if the geomagnetic conditions intensify to G3, auroras could stretch even farther south.
How to watch the northern lights tonight
If you’re in one of the lucky regions, head to a north-facing location, away from urban light pollution, and give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness. Sometimes, auroras will appear more vividly through a smartphone camera before they become clearly visible to the naked eye.
Keep an eye on the northern horizon, but don’t forget to glance around—the aurora can appear overhead or behind you, and may evolve rapidly from faint glows to vibrant streaks of green and purple dancing across the sky.
Tracking the auroras in real-time
To stay updated on the evolving forecast, check NOAA’s 3-day aurora forecast, or download apps like My Aurora Forecast & Alerts and Space Weather Live, both available on iOS and Android. These tools can alert you to changes in Kp levels, geomagnetic conditions, and forecast updates based on your location.
Tonight’s event is another reminder of the solar maximum period we’re approaching, where increased solar activity can lead to more frequent and intense auroras across the globe—even in places that rarely see them.
