Northern Lights Alert: Where to Catch the Aurora Tonight!
If you’ve been dreaming of witnessing the dazzling dance of the northern lights, tonight might be your chance! According to the latest NOAA aurora forecast, moderate to active aurora activity is expected, with the possibility of isolated minor substorms—and even a slight chance of a major auroral display.
With a solar wind speed of 570 km/sec and moderate geomagnetic activity, some regions will have a spectacular overhead show, while others may catch a faint glow on the horizon. If skies are clear, here’s where you should be looking tonight, March 9, 2025.
Best Locations for Northern Lights Viewing Tonight
High-Latitude Aurora Viewing (Best Overhead Displays)
If you’re in these areas, you’re in for an incredible aurora experience:
Alaska, USA:
Utqiaġvik (Barrow) – High probability of overhead aurora.
Fairbanks – Excellent viewing conditions expected.
Anchorage & Juneau – Aurora may be visible low on the northern horizon.
Canada:
Yukon (Whitehorse) – High chances of strong aurora activity.
Northwest Territories (Yellowknife) – One of the best places to view the northern lights tonight.
Nunavut (Iqaluit) – Aurora possible if conditions hold.
Northern Europe:
Norway – Tromsø and Alta are prime locations for a stunning auroral display.
Sweden – Kiruna and Abisko have strong aurora potential.
Finland – Rovaniemi and Lapland regions have a high likelihood of aurora activity.
Iceland – Great chances for aurora sightings, especially in dark rural areas.
Mid-Latitude Aurora Viewing (Visible Low on the Horizon)
If you’re in these locations, you might spot the aurora dancing along the northern horizon:
United States:
Minnesota (Duluth, International Falls) – Moderate aurora activity expected.
North Dakota (Fargo, Grand Forks) – Possible auroral display.
Michigan (Upper Peninsula, Mackinac Island, Marquette) – Low-horizon aurora may be visible.
Wisconsin (Northern areas near Lake Superior) – Slight chance of low auroral display.
New York (Adirondacks, Buffalo area) – A faint aurora could appear on the horizon.
Canada:
British Columbia (Prince George, Fort St. John) – Moderate aurora expected.
Alberta (Edmonton, Jasper National Park) – Good viewing potential.
Saskatchewan & Manitoba (Regina, Winnipeg) – Possible low-horizon aurora.
Northern Europe:
Scotland (Orkney, Shetland Islands, Northern Highlands) – Low-level aurora may be visible.
Ireland (Northern coastlines) – A very low chance, but possible with clear skies.
Best Viewing Times
10:00 PM – 2:00 AM local time is when the aurora is most active.
Look north if you’re in a mid-latitude location.
Find dark, open spaces away from city lights for the best view.
Final Tips for Aurora Chasers
Check real-time aurora maps at NOAA Aurora Dashboard → https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/communities/aurora-dashboard-experimental
Use a camera with long exposure settings to capture faint auroras invisible to the naked eye.
Bundle up and be patient—auroras can appear suddenly and last from minutes to hours.
Tonight’s forecast suggests that even locations farther south than usual may have a shot at seeing the northern lights. If conditions hold, it could be a spectacular night for aurora watchers!
So grab your camera, find a dark sky, and look up—the northern lights might just put on a show for you!
