The Northern Lights Could Be Seen in Idaho, Washington, and Part of Utah Tonight

Tonight has the potential to be a magical night as Washington, Idaho, and Utah all have a chance to see the Aurora Borealis. Strong solar flare conditions could develop Thursday night causing the possibility of Northern Lights sightings across the states.

The real issue tonight will be the battle between the Aurora, the nearly full moon, and cloud coverage. Though some sources say moonlight during a strong solar storm can add to the vibrance of the lights.

Almost All of Idaho and Washington Could See the Northern Lights Tonight

According to forecast maps, which are just a forecast and not a 100 percent certainty map, show strong G3 conditions over the entire state of Washington, nearly all of Idaho with the exception of the southwest corner, and part of Utah could see the lights without assistance but most viewers will need a camera to see them.

Due to the uncertainty of the model forecasts, your best chance to see the Northern Lights will always be to head somewhere dark, away from the city lights, and to give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness. It is also helpful in areas where the Aurora isn’t very bright to use a phone to find them, as the exposure on cameras and phones can show lights we don’t see with our eyes.

READ ALSO: Dark Sky Reserve in Idaho is the Perfect Place to View the Aurora

This updated map shows what the cloud coverage could be during the show, and it looks overcast for Washington and pretty clear for Idaho and Utah.

If you have never experienced the Northern Lights, these pictures are from an appearance last year in Southern Idaho.