Northern Lights Could Again Be Visible Across U.S. Amid Solar Cycle Peak

The northern lights could once again grace the skies over parts of the United States.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), those in the northern U.S. may have a chance to witness the aurora borealis on Wednesday night, weather permitting. States such as Washington, Idaho, Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine could see the skies light up with vibrant green, purple and red hues, with the brightest lights likely most active between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.
This year has been particularly favorable for aurora sightings. The sun’s magnetic field is currently at the peak of its 11-year cycle, which means solar storms and auroras are becoming more frequent. Earlier this year, unusually strong solar storms produced vibrant auroras across much of the Northern Hemisphere, dazzling viewers from Canada to the northern U.S. and Europe.
Solar storms occur when the sun releases a burst of charged particles that interact with Earth’s magnetic field. When these particles collide with atoms in Earth’s atmosphere, they create the colorful lights known as auroras or the northern lights in the Northern Hemisphere.
While this natural wonder continues to captivate, increased solar activity can also disrupt radio communications on Earth, as electromagnetic waves emitted by solar storms interfere with our atmosphere.
Newsweek reached out to NOAA via email for comment.
This is not the first time solar storms brought auroras to the skies over parts of the Northern Hemisphere this month.
On September 12, people in Canada and the northern U.S., including states like Alaska, Washington, Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota, could see subtle, colorful displays.
The auroras were expected to be faint, but the NOAA warned that if the solar storms intensified at night, the auroras could be visible farther south, reaching states like Illinois and New York. “All the stars have to align” for that to happen, Erica Grow Cei, a spokesperson for NOAA, previously said.
NOAA recommends that those hoping to glimpse tonight’s aurora head to areas far from city lights. The best viewing times, the agency notes, typically fall within one to two hours before or after midnight. While the auroras might be too faint for the naked eye, capturing a photo with a smartphone could reveal hints of the colorful display that aren’t visible without help.
In addition, be prepared to wait, as the lights may appear at different times depending on your location and weather conditions. Clear skies will offer the best chance of seeing the faint auroras.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.