Northern lights visible tonight
The gist
Geomagnetic storms from solar eruptions may bring the northern lights to 10 U.S. states tonight.
The aurora's southern reach stays uncertain, so skywatchers should check local conditions.
How it unfolded
- Oct 9, 2026NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center forecasters tracked multiple coronal mass ejections that could trigger G1 to G2 geomagnetic storm conditions, with the strongest activity expected during periods reaching G1 and G2 levels.
- Oct 10, 2026Reports said the northern lights could be visible across parts of the northern United States this weekend, and the Met Office issued an update that they could be seen in the North East this weekend.
- Oct 11, 2026The Met Office said the Northern Lights could appear over the UK again on Sunday and Monday night, after stargazers saw the aurora in the early hours of Sunday, including over Dunstanburgh Castle on the Northumberland coast and as far south as Kent and Surrey.