The aurora borealis may light up the skies across more than a dozen states on Monday and Tuesday.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, large bursts of solar plasma, called coronal mass ejections, are predicted to arrive at Earth overnight Monday or by Tuesday midday. This could trigger a significant geomagnetic storm, allowing the Northern Lights to be seen farther south than is typical.

This stunning display, also known as the aurora borealis, happens when such solar material interacts with Earth’s magnetic field, creating vibrant light shows.

NOAA states that geomagnetic activity is expected to reach G1, or minor, on the storm scale Monday, then strengthen to a more powerful G3 storm on Tuesday.

The agency’s forecast indicates that parts of 15 states may get a full or partial view of the aurora on Monday and Tuesday, including Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Wyoming, Washington, and Wisconsin.

A University of Alaska forecast suggests that, given clear skies, the lights could be visible Monday evening from Utqiaġvik to Anchorage and Juneau in Alaska, as well as in Maine, Idaho, Indiana, and Wyoming. For Tuesday evening, the University’s forecast is somewhat more optimistic than NOAA’s, indicating the aurora might also be seen in cities like Indianapolis, Chicago, Cleveland, and Boston.

Viewers do not need the lights to be directly overhead to spot them. NOAA notes that a bright aurora can potentially be observed from over 500 miles away under the right conditions.

For the optimal viewing experience, the agency recommends seeking out locations away from city lights and looking at the sky in the late evening or very early morning, within two hours of midnight.

Less than a year ago, the aurora borealis was visible not just in northern states like Minnesota and Montana, but also as far south as Florida, Alabama, and New Mexico.
Its anticipated appearance this week occurs just days before another highly awaited celestial event: the peak of the Geminids meteor shower. This shower, regarded as one of the finest and most dependable annual events, happens every December as Earth passes through debris from an object called 3200 Phaethon. This year it began on Dec. 4 and will conclude on Dec. 17, with peak activity expected on Dec. 12 and 13.