Tue Mar 25 23:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Free Northern Lights Show Expected This Weekend

**Washington, D.C.** – A spectacular free light show is forecast for parts of the United States this weekend, as the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, is expected to be visible. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the best viewing opportunities will be Saturday night, with diminished visibility on Sunday.

The agency predicts prime viewing locations across nearly half the country, primarily along the northern border and Midwest. States with the highest probability of viewing include Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Other states with a chance of seeing the lights include Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, northern Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and New England.

For optimal viewing, NOAA recommends finding dark locations away from city lights. The darkest areas will offer the best viewing experience. Clear weather is also essential. The best time to look is typically within an hour or two of midnight.

NOAA explains that the aurora is caused by electrically charged particles from the sun colliding with gases in Earth’s atmosphere. The current heightened solar activity, at a peak in its 11-year cycle, is increasing the chances of seeing this stunning display. A coronal mass ejection from the sun is expected to reach Earth early Sunday morning, though the impact on the aurora’s visibility is expected to be minor.

While precise predictions remain challenging, NOAA maintains an aurora dashboard to help skywatchers track the phenomenon. The agency advises that even the best forecasts are only accurate a few days or hours in advance. So, keep your eyes on the sky this weekend for a potentially breathtaking natural light show.

Read More