Key Points The northern lights may be visible across parts of the U.S. this weekend due to increased geomagnetic activity.

This rare opportunity stems from a G2 geomagnetic storm that could make the aurora borealis visible as far south as New York and Idaho.

Optimal viewing conditions include areas with little light pollution and clear skies, particularly in rural or high-altitude locations.

If you live in the northern U.S., you may have the chance to witness an eye-catching light show in the sky. Starting tonight and through the weekend, the northern lights will be visible, with auroras appearing further south than usual—possibly into New York and Idaho—due to geomagnetic storm conditions.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a moderate G2 geomagnetic storm watch for June 14. Geomagnetic storms are ranked from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). A G2 storm means that the aurora oval—the zone where there is a higher probability of seeing the northern lights—could move farther south, allowing residents across parts of the northern U.S. a chance to see the lights.

According to the SWPC, people in Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, South Dakota, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Wyoming have a chance of spotting the phenomenon over the weekend thanks to turbulent space weather.

The spike in geomagnetic activity is caused by a coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS). Per NOAA, “A coronal hole is a less dense area in the solar corona. They appear dark because they are cooler. Solar wind escapes from these features at higher speeds, known as high-speed streams. When they arrive at Earth, escalated geomagnetic activity may result.”

NOAA also forecasts that the Kp index will peak at 6.33 over the weekend. The Kp Index is a numeric scale, ranging from 0 to 9, that describes geomagnetic activity. Per NOAA, higher Kp values increase the chances of seeing auroras at lower latitudes.

If you want to see the lights, head to a dark, north-facing spot away from city lights. Keep in mind that cloudy skies and light pollution can affect visibility. The best time to spot the lights may be around 1 to 2 a.m.