Tonight’s aurora outlook looks promising in parts of the northern U.S. and southern Canada, with geomagnetic activity driven by solar storms likely giving visible displays in dark skies away from city lights. Here’s a practical guide to maximize your chances and know what to expect tonight. What to expect tonight

• Potential visibility window: as skies grow dark after sunset and continue into the early hours, especially in clear, dark locations away from light pollution. The strongest displays tend to occur between local sunset and a couple hours after midnight, but auroras can appear anytime darkness allows [web results indicate recent strong solar activity and wide-area visibility in several states].

• Geographic reach: auroras can be seen in the northern U.S. and southern Canada, with occasional pale glows reaching farther south under strong solar storms; urban skies may still reveal faint glows if conditions are optimal.

• Sky conditions: choose a location with an unobstructed northern horizon and minimal artificial light. Clear skies are essential; clouds will obscure the display.

• Timing tips: the best chances often occur a bit after nightfall and can continue past midnight, with the northern horizon giving the clearest view as the display intensifies or shifts in activity.

How to improve your viewing odds

• Find dark, open skies: travel away from city lights if possible; even a short drive to a darker spot can make a big difference.

• Look north and be patient: auroras can appear as a faint glow along the northern horizon and may intensify over minutes to hours. Give your eyes a few minutes to adjust and avoid looking at bright lights in between attempts to view the aurora.

• Check current forecasts and conditions: use real-time aurora forecasts and weather checks for cloud cover and expected geomagnetic activity (Kp index, solar wind data) to gauge tonight’s potential; forecasts update as conditions change.

What you can do to prepare

• Dress warmly and bring a thermos or hot drink; you may be outdoors for a while in cold conditions.

• If you plan to photograph: use a tripod, a wide-angle lens, and manual camera settings (start with low ISO and longer exposure, e.g., ISO 800, 15–30 seconds) to capture faint aurora details; smartphone cameras can still reveal subtle colors in very dark skies.

Notes on safety and accessibility

• Solar storm intensity can vary: even moderate events can produce impressive displays, sometimes visible from unexpected places, especially during favorable viewing conditions.

• If you’re in an area with passing weather fronts, check the latest cloud cover forecasts; cloudy nights will hide the aurora even if conditions are otherwise favorable.

Direct answer
Tonight, you have a real chance to see the northern lights if you are in the northern United States or southern Canada and can find a dark, clear sky with an unobstructed northern view. The best results come after dusk and can continue into the early morning hours; a few minutes of patience in a dark location will maximize your chances. Stay informed with the latest aurora forecasts and cloud-cover updates, and dress warmly for an extended night outdoors. If you’re near - or south of - typical high-latitude regions, the display may still be faint, but strong solar activity can push the aurora farther south on strong nights.