Map: Chance for some to see northern lights sparked by 'fast' coronal mass ejection

(NEXSTAR) — Some may have the chance to see the northern lights on Sunday thanks to an eruption of solar material colliding with Earth's atmosphere.

A coronal hole high speed stream, or CH HSS, was spotted on the sun on Friday, NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center reported. A CH HSS can cause geomagnetic storms on Earth to reach G1 or G2 levels — which could, in turn, spark more northern lights.

While the SWPC warned that lower-level geomagnetic storm conditions could appear on Earth Tuesday or Wednesday, parts of the U.S. could see the northern lights Sunday night — if conditions are right.

This activity is connected to a fast-moving coronal mass ejection, or CME, that left the Sun on Friday. According to SWPC's forecasting, this CME could cause the necessary activity in our atmosphere to make the northern lights visible across the northern U.S.

CMEs spark auroras by creating currents in Earth’s magnetic fields that send particles to the North and South Poles, which then interact with oxygen and nitrogen, according to NASA.

The current forecast suggests this CME will cause the strongest geomagnetic storming late Sunday morning and into the afternoon — a less-than-ideal time for those hoping to see the northern lights. However, minor geomagnetic storm conditions are expected to continue into the nighttime hours, which may be just enough for those closest to the Canadian border to see the aurora.

The forecast below shows which areas have the best chance of catching the northern lights on Sunday. Those in red have the highest odds while those in green have lower odds. Areas at or above the red view line may also be able to see the northern lights on the northern horizon.

As usual, those with the greatest odds of catching the northern lights are in Canada and Alaska. Still, some in the Lower 48 could catch a glimpse. That includes Washington state, Montana, the northeastern portion of Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and the northern portions of Idaho, Iowa, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

The northern lights forecast for Sunday, March 23, 2025. (NOAA SWPC)

This forecast could, however, change as the day goes on, depending on the activity in our atmosphere. If conditions strengthen, the aurora could appear even further south. If they weaken, fewer states may have a chance to see them.

We may get a chance to see the northern lights again mid-week. The SWPC's three-day forecast currently shows a return of minor geomagnetic storming starting Tuesday afternoon.

If you’re in the shaded areas above, but can’t see the northern lights with your naked eye when you step outside, you may instead want to use your phone. Our smartphones are better able to see some of the faint colors that may appear with the northern lights, giving you a chance to glimpse the aurora.

Topics

Northern lights sightings expected in Scotland over weekend

Met Office says aurora borealis may be visible across north of country and possibly even further south. The northern lights are expected to be visible in Scotland this weekend, the Met Office has ...
The Guardian - Mar. 8
Panama releases dozens of detained deportees from US into limbo following human rights criticism

Panama has released dozens of migrants deported from the United States who were held for weeks in a remote camp on the condition that they would leave the Central American nation in 30 days
ABC News - Mar. 9
Apparent mass killing site, dozens of shoes found in Mexico

A group of citizens, helped by an anonymous tip, found dozens of shoes, heaps of clothing and what appeared to be human bone fragments.
CBS News - Mar. 14
Turkish police arrest dozens for ‘insulting’ Erdoğan and his family

Crackdown comes after jailing of Istanbul mayor sparked biggest street protests in more than a decade
Financial Times - 1h
Measles confirmed in 3 more states as cases multiply

More than 300 cases of measles, one of the most contagious viruses in the world, have now been confirmed across more than a dozen U.S. states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ...
The Hill - Mar. 14
Justices Seem Likely to Uphold Louisiana Map With 2 Majority-Black Districts

A majority of the court appeared skeptical of a challenge to Louisiana’s voting map. The challengers had argued the state impermissibly relied on race to draw its map.
The New York Times - 20h
Olise's creative spark in midfield is just the right fit for France

Michael Olise's emergence for France comes at the right moment in a team needing a creative spark in midfield. Olise was outstanding in the 2-0 win against Croatia on Sunday, scoring a free kick ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Gaza War Led to Deaths of More Than 3 Dozen Hostages, Officials Say

Israel’s leaders promised that their military campaign in Gaza would help save the lives of hostages. At least 41 have died in captivity, some killed by Hamas and others in Israeli airstrikes.
The New York Times - Mar. 8
Deschamps provides update on Theo Hernandez’s condition: “Going in the right direction”

There has been some concern about the condition of Theo Hernandez, but some reassurance has arrived from France head coach Didier Deschamps.Theo was taken off at half-time during the comeback win ...
Yahoo Sports - 5d