June 1, 2026
By Heath Scofield
Update: We sincerely apologize as of 8:34 PM EDT NOAA NWS Space Weather Prediction Centered their aurora forecast; placing the southernmost possible viewing line along Lake Erie.
Local stargazers may be in for a rare treat tonight as the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, could be visible well beyond its typical range. According to forecasters at the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, current conditions suggest the aurora may extend as far south as Tennessee.
While this event is not expected to be as intense as the powerful G5 solar storm observed on May 10 of last year, it remains a significant geomagnetic event. The best time to catch a glimpse of the aurora will likely be between 11:00 pm and 2:00 am local time, when geomagnetic activity is predicted to peak at a Kp index of 8 out of 9. Activity is expected to begin earlier in the evening at a Kp level of 7 and could continue until around 5:00 am.
The Kp index, short for Planetarische Kennziffer (German for “planetary index”), is used to measure disturbances in the Earth’s magnetic field. A higher Kp number generally means greater auroral visibility at lower latitudes.
However, even during strong solar events, the aurora can be difficult to spot with the naked eye—especially in areas affected by light pollution. For optimal viewing, it’s crucial to find a dark-sky location. A helpful tool for this is LightPollutionMap.info, which shows areas with minimal light interference.
It’s also worth managing expectations: auroras often appear much less vibrant in person than they do in photographs. This is because cameras, including those on modern smartphones, can pick up colors and detail that the human eye cannot see in real time. Taking long-exposure photos may reveal greens, purples, and reds that aren’t immediately visible when looking up at the sky.
As for the source of this auroral activity, the NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a statement regarding a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) that erupted on Friday evening. According to the agency:
“The G4 (Severe) geomagnetic storm watch remains in effect for tonight, June 1st (EDT), as CME passage continues. There are indications that the coronal mass ejection (CME) passage is weakening, but the solar wind conditions remain elevated, therefore additional periods of G3-G4 (Strong-Severe) levels remain possible. However, we now anticipate that conditions should weaken enough by tomorrow evening, June 2nd (EDT), that G1 (Minor) storm levels is the most likely peak response.”
For updates on the aurora forecast, you can visit the Geophysical Institute’s Aurora Forecast page, and for more in-depth information on space weather activity, refer to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center.
So, if you’re hoping to witness one of nature’s most stunning light shows, tonight might be your chance—just be sure to head somewhere dark, bring your camera, and keep your eyes on the northern sky.
