I don’t have live access to tools in this turn, but here’s how you can estimate tonight’s scope for the northern lights and what to watch for. Direct answer
- In tonight’s conditions, the northern lights are most likely to be visible across northern latitudes and can stretch farther south during strong geomagnetic activity. In recent active periods, observers in parts of the northern U.S. and southern Canada have reported auroras, with occasional sightings possible as far south as Alabama or northern California when storms are particularly intense. The exact southern limit varies with the strength of the solar storm and local sky conditions. To maximize your chances, look to a dark, open vantage point with a northern horizon and be prepared to stay up late into the night or into the early morning hours.
What determines how far south
- Geomagnetic storm strength: stronger storms push auroras to lower latitudes. Severe to extreme events can bring displays well into the continental U.S. and even farther south in rare cases. Keep an eye on NOAA Space Weather scales (G1 to G5) for tonight’s predicted activity.
- Local darkness and sky clarity: light pollution and cloud cover will dramatically affect visibility. A clear, moonless night greatly improves chances.
- Solar wind orientation and timing: the arrival of solar wind streams and coronal mass ejections governs when the aurora will be most vivid and how far south it will reach.
How to maximize viewing tonight
- Find a dark site away from city lights; face north or northwest if you can.
- Check local aurora forecasts from NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center and trusted local weather sources for tonight’s storm level and timing.
- Be prepared to stay up late; the prime viewing window often falls between local evening hours and the early-morning hours around local midnight to 2 a.m.
- Give your eyes time to adjust (15–30 minutes) and bring warm clothing, as it tends to be a late-evening or pre-dawn activity.
If you’d like, I can fetch up-to-date forecast details for your exact location (city or coordinates) and provide a concise tonight-specific visibility outlook, including the expected solar storm level and the best viewing window.
