The Northern Lights may be visible in northern U.S. states and Canada from Wednesday, March 18 to Thursday, March 19, after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a geomagnetic storm watch indicating the potential for a G3 geomagnetic storm.
According to SpaceWeather.com, with the arrival of Earth-directed coronal mass ejections, the Earth’s geomagnetic field is expected to become unstable. The auroras are expected to arrive hours before the northern equinox on March 20, with auroras in mid-latitudes likely as far south as Illinois and Oregon.
NOAA added, “With the arrival of a coronal mass ejection on March 16, a G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm is possible on March 19, with the possibility of an isolated period of G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm.” NOAA also predicts that conditions will remain unstable through March 24, 26-28, and 30.
The new moon on March 19 provided perfect conditions for a dark night sky.
Statistically, the celestial geometry of the March 20 equinox doubles the likelihood of auroras this month.
NOAA’s aurora sighting forecast for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, through Thursday, March 19, 2026 overnight.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Northern Lights Alert: When and Where to Watch
NOAA’s Aurora Sight shows that the Northern Lights may be visible (most likely low on the northern horizon) in as many as 20 U.S. states near the Canadian border. States with the best chances include Alaska and Washington (northern), Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine.
This could also mean faint auroras visible low on the northern horizon in areas of northern Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire.
States further north always have the best chances. For the best views, wait until the moon sets and use the light pollution map and dark sky location finder (although it’s also important to find clear skies). The clearer and darker the northern sky, the more vivid the display – even during moderate geomagnetic storms.
NOAA has released a geomagnetic storm watch for March 19, 2026.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
“The Russell-McPherran Effect”
Statistically, auroras are more likely to occur in March due to the Russell-McPherron effect. During the equinox, the Earth’s axis is aligned with the Sun, causing the Earth’s magnetic field to be at right angles to the incoming solar wind. This orientation increases the chance of “reverse” magnetic alignment between the Earth and the Sun – a configuration that most efficiently transfers energy into the Earth’s magnetosphere. An opening forms in the Earth’s magnetic field, accelerating charged particles in the solar wind into near-Earth space and triggering geomagnetic disturbances. However, auroras still depend on the sun’s activity.
How to Photograph the Northern Lights
If your smartphone has night mode or pro mode, you can take beautiful aurora photos by following these steps:
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Use the main lens instead of the ultra-wide-angle lens for sharper results.
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Use a tripod to stabilize the camera or place it on a solid surface, such as a car roof, wall, or pillar.
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If possible, shoot in RAW format as this will make post-editing easier.
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Expect long exposures of five to ten seconds. Even faint glows that appear gray to the naked eye often appear as vivid greens, purples, or reds in photos.
Northern Lights Alert: Update
Auroras occur when charged particles from the solar wind accelerate along Earth’s magnetic field lines and collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms high in the atmosphere. These collisions excite the gas, which then releases energy in the form of flashes of light.
The exact timing of space weather is difficult to predict because it depends on the speed of the solar wind. Aurora chasers monitor NOAA’s 30-minute aurora forecast and SpaceWeatherLive.com, as well as apps such as Aurora Now, My Aurora Forecast, SpaceWeatherLive or Glendale Aurora that provide real-time solar wind data.
The key data is the Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field, which determines how easily solar energy enters the Earth’s magnetosphere. When Bz points north, Earth’s magnetic field resists it; when Bz swings south, the two fields connect, allowing plasma to flow in. A sustained southward Bz of -5 nT or stronger usually indicates an imminent aurora.
May you have clear skies and open eyes.
