Northern Lights May Be Visible Over MN Tuesday: What To Know

MINNESOTA — Minnesotans across the state may be able to see the northern lights Tuesday night, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) forecast.

The agency’s viewing line shows that even southern Minnesota may get a chance to see the dazzling display. NOAA expects a G1 geomagnetic storm with a Kp index of 5, meaning auroras could extend well beyond their usual northern range — possibly as far south as the Twin Cities if the storm intensifies.

The National Weather Service is calling for mostly clear skies across Minnesota Tuesday night, providing an excellent opportunity to spot the lights. The best viewing hours are typically between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., when skies are darkest and the aurora is most active.

Experts recommend heading to a dark, open area away from city lights and giving your eyes at least 15–20 minutes to adjust to the darkness for the best view.

A G1 storm means a moderate burst of solar energy is expected — a large expulsion of plasma and magnetic field from the sun’s atmosphere. When those charged particles collide with Earth’s atmosphere, they create the northern lights, or aurora borealis.

In addition to Minnesota, other states that may see the lights include Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Recent solar activity has produced several strong geomagnetic storms this month, giving skywatchers in Minnesota multiple opportunities to catch this rare and beautiful phenomenon.