Northern lights could be visible in 16 U.S. states tonight

NOAA issued a geomagnetic storm watch after a fairly fast coronal mass ejection, and a forecast map cited by Oregon Live shows the northern lights could reach parts of 16 U.S. states on Tuesday night.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center issued a geomagnetic storm watch after reporting a fairly fast coronal mass ejection from the sun. Charged solar particles and associated magnetic fields can interact with Earth's magnetosphere to produce auroras. Forecasters quoted by Oregon Live say the incoming solar material could produce minor to moderate geomagnetic storm conditions. A forecast map indicates the northern lights could reach parts of 16 U.S. states on Tuesday night. Key details: - NOAA issued a geomagnetic storm watch following a reported fairly fast coronal mass ejection from the sun. - Forecasters say the incoming solar material could produce minor to moderate geomagnetic storm conditions, increasing the potential for auroral displays, especially in northern U.S. states. - A map cited by Oregon Live indicates up to 16 U.S. states could see auroras on Tuesday night, with higher chances near northern edges such as the Oregon–Washington–Idaho border region. - NOAA noted that auroral activity often peaks late evening and overnight, and that visibility will depend on cloud cover, local weather, light pollution, and the storm's eventual strength. - NASA described how auroras may appear (faint white or green to the naked eye, with richer colors visible in longer camera exposures) and reported photography suggestions such as using night mode and stabilizing equipment. Summary: The expected arrival of solar material could let auroras be seen farther south than usual across a band covering parts of 16 states. Visibility in any given location will depend on local weather, light conditions, and the storm's strength. Undetermined at this time.