Rare Northern Lights Set to Dazzle Seattle Skies Tonight—Here’s the Best Time to Look Up

SEATTLE—Skywatchers in the Emerald City may be treated to a rare aurora borealis display tonight and early Monday thanks to an unusually strong geomagnetic storm barreling toward Earth. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) issued a G3-to-G4 (strong to severe) alert after multiple coronal mass ejections from the Sun merged en route to our planet, pushing the Kp index—an aurora strength gauge—into the 7–8 range, high enough for the lights to slip south of the Canadian border and over the Pacific Northwest. What to expect • Timing: Forecasters say the best chance to spot the northern lights over Seattle is between 10 p.m. Sunday and 2 a.m. Monday, when geomagnetic activity and local darkness peak. A second window could open before dawn if storm conditions persist. • Color & direction: Look low on the northern horizon for green or pink curtains, pulsating patches, or a diffuse glow. At times of maximum disturbance, the aurora can arch overhead, turning the entire sky neon. • Brightness: City light pollution will wash out faint structures, so head for darker vantage points or elevated terrain to improve contrast. Best viewing spots around Seattle • Kerry Park on Queen Anne—iconic skyline foreground with a clear northern view. • Alki Beach—broad sightline across Puget Sound and minimal streetlamps on the shoreline. • Discovery Park’s West Point Lighthouse—Seattle’s darkest urban park location. • Snoqualmie Pass or Rattlesnake Ledge—short drives east boost altitude and escape metro glare. Weather outlook The National Weather Service predicts mostly clear skies over western Washington after sunset, with high thin cirrus drifting in late. Even partial cloud breaks can be sufficient because auroras form 60–200 miles up, above most cloud layers. Why it’s happening now Solar Cycle 25 is approaching its expected 2025–26 peak, causing the Sun to unleash more sunspots, flares, and plasma eruptions. This weekend’s storm stems from at least two Earth-directed CMEs that left the Sun on May 30–31. When their combined shock front slams into Earth’s magnetic field, charged particles funnel along field lines toward the poles, colliding with atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen to produce vivid light. How rare is a Seattle aurora? Although Washington occasionally catches geomagnetic storms, Seattle’s latitude (47.6° N) normally requires a Kp of 7 or higher for naked-eye visibility. Strong storms like tonight’s typically occur only a handful of times per solar cycle, making this one of the best opportunities in years, according to local astronomers interviewed by The Seattle Times. Tips to maximize your view 1. Get away from artificial light—every streetlamp cuts contrast. 2. Allow at least 20 minutes for your eyes to dark-adapt; avoid phone screens or use red-filter mode. 3. Bring a tripod-mounted camera; a 5- to 15-second exposure at ISO 1600–3200 captures color the eye may miss. 4. Dress warm—clear spring nights in the Cascades can dip into the 40s. 5. Keep checking real-time Kp alerts or the SWPC’s Ovation map to time your outing. Safety & etiquette Plan extra travel time on mountain passes in case crowds build, pack out all trash, and park only in designated areas. Never shine white flashlights toward photographers or drivers. What’s next If the storm persists, the aurora could return Monday night as residual energy ripples through Earth’s magnetosphere. Solar forecasters will refine predictions once the interplanetary shock front is sampled by satellites later today. Follow @NWSSpaceWX and local media for updates. Bottom line With clear skies, an elevated Kp, and the Sun nearing peak activity, Seattleites have an uncommon chance to witness the northern lights without leaving the state. Grab a thermos, head north—or up a hill—and look toward the stars; the sky may just light up in emerald and magenta ribbons tonight.