The Northern Lights May Return to the US This Week—Here's How to See Them

There have already been multiple opportunities to see the northern lights this year. But if you haven't spotted the celestial phenomenon yet, you may have another chance to see them this week.

On Monday, August 12, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center reported that a geomagnetic storm was detected over Earth and may cause increased northern lights activity over the United States and Canada.

A geomagnetic storm is a major disturbance in Earth's magnetic field and can vary in intensity between lower levels and severe storm conditions, per the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. These types of strong solar storms can disrupt some radio communications, the electric power grid, and navigation.

The present geomagnetic storm is due to coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that arrived on Sunday, August 11, and allowed for minor to severe storm levels to be reached. All geomagnetic storms are classified on a scale of G1 to G5 by the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. A G1 classification was announced on Sunday, which quickly escalated to a G4-class storm by Monday.

Currently, geomagnetic storm conditions have weakened to a G2, but the increased solar activity still gives stargazers a shot at seeing the northern lights. According to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Service, the aurora borealis may soon become visible over some northern and upper midwest states from New York to Idaho.