Tonight’s Rare Northern Lights Spectacle: Exact Times, Best Viewing Spots & Live Streams (March 30, 2026)

A rare springtime geomagnetic storm could light up the night sky across North America tonight, March 26–27, 2026, bringing the Northern Lights—also known as the aurora borealis—well beyond their usual Arctic haunts. Why the aurora is on the move • NOAA forecasters are tracking a fast coronal mass ejection (CME) expected to deliver a glancing blow to Earth late Thursday, potentially sparking a minor G1 geomagnetic storm. • Even a partial hit can inject enough solar energy into our magnetosphere to push the auroral oval southward for several hours. Where you might see the Northern Lights tonight Current models place the best viewing zone across 10 northern-tier U.S. states: Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine, with a slimmer chance for New York and New England if activity briefly intensifies. In Canada, residents from Yukon to Nova Scotia should keep an eye on the northern horizon. Across the Atlantic, northern Scotland, Norway, Sweden and Finland remain well-placed if skies stay clear. Best time to look • Peak window: 10 p.m.–2 a.m. local time, when geomagnetic activity and solar-wind coupling historically peak. • Moon phase: Tonight’s waning crescent sets early, leaving dark skies for most of the night—a major plus for aurora hunters. • Watch real-time indices: A sustained southward Bz of −5 nT or lower and a Kp index of 5+ greatly increase visibility. Viewing tips for vivid Northern Lights photos 1. Find dark, cloud-free skies away from city glare; consult a light-pollution map. 2. Set your camera or phone to Night/Pro mode, ISO 800–3200, 5–10 s exposure, wide aperture (f/2.8 or lower). 3. Use a tripod, disable flash and enable RAW capture for easier post-processing. 4. Dress warmly and give your eyes 20 minutes to adapt; faint grey arches often pop green or purple on-screen long before they brighten to the naked eye. Why March is prime aurora season The weeks around the spring equinox favor magnetic reconnection between the solar wind and Earth’s field—a phenomenon called the Russell-McPherron effect—making March one of the most statistically reliable months for aurora displays. Looking ahead Solar Cycle 25 remains active, and additional CMEs are likely in the coming weeks. Bookmark NOAA’s 30-minute aurora forecast page and keep your camera charged; tonight may be the first of several chances to witness the Northern Lights from mid-latitudes as we roll deeper into peak aurora season. Clear skies and happy hunting!