Residents in up to 10 US states could see the northern lights on Friday night, according to a forecast from Forbes. The prediction follows geomagnetic storm watches issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the period of August 27-29.
Forbes reports that the aurora borealis may be visible in these states tonight, though the exact list of states was not detailed in the available summary. The forecast builds on a similar outlook for Thursday night, which also included 10 states as potential viewing locations for the aurora.
The potential for Friday's display stems from NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, which has placed geomagnetic storm watches covering August 27 through August 29. These watches indicate that conditions in the solar wind and Earth's magnetic field could be favorable for aurora activity during this window.
Regional outlets have also picked up on the forecast. The Day, a Connecticut publication, notes that the northern lights could appear over that state on Friday night. Meanwhile, the Detroit Free Press reports that the aurora could be strong over Michigan, offering guidance on what residents there should expect.
For skywatchers, the key factors for viewing typically include clear skies, minimal light pollution, and looking north after darkness falls. The strength of the geomagnetic activity will ultimately determine how far south the aurora extends and how vivid the display becomes.
Those hoping to catch a glimpse should monitor local weather conditions and NOAA updates as the evening progresses. The current watches run through Saturday, meaning there may be additional opportunities for viewing if Friday night's display is obscured by clouds.
