Northern Lights Forecast for Northern US Saturday Night

The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are forecast to be visible on Saturday night across parts of the northern United States, with NOAA projecting a Kp index between 3 and 5, indicating minor to moderate geomagnetic storm activity. This level of activity may allow aurora sightings as far south as Iowa, particularly in areas with clear, dark skies away from city lights. The best viewing times are from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. local time, and stargazers are encouraged to seek north-facing, elevated locations. Experts recommend using night mode and disabling flash on smartphones, or employing wide-angle lenses and low apertures on cameras for the best photos. Increased solar activity during the current solar maximum is expected to boost aurora visibility opportunities through early 2026. NOAA offers live updates and maps to help viewers find optimal locations and times for observing the aurora.