Another Chance to See the Northern Lights Tonight For Idaho, Washington, and Utah

Tuesday night was a surprise as the Aurora Borealis made a spectacular appearance over many states that don’t normally get to see it.

Sightings were reported, along with beautiful photos, in Washington, Idaho, and even down into Utah. Determining when the lights will show is a bit of a guessing game, as there are a few factors that determine whether they will be visible. But, if last night is an indicator, we have a chance again tonight for a better viewing of the Northern Lights.

ID, UT, and WA Could See the Northern Lights Again Tonight

When a solar flare erupts from the sun and heads towards the Earth, we get predictions from NOAA regarding the strength of the flare and a determination of what it will look like in the sky and when. Last night, the solar flare and accompanying geomagnetic activity were mid to high (G3 and G4) depending on where you were looking. Similar conditions are expected tonight.

According to multiple sources, if you want to see the Northern Lights today, don’t wait too long. You may be tempted to wait until it is completely dark or close to midnight, but the best chance to see the lights this time could be just after sunset. Find a dark place, get out of the city if you can, and give your eyes a chance to adapt to the dark. Also, take along a camera to get pictures that will show the vibrance of the colors.

There are a variety of online sources and apps for your phone that can help you determine when there is a chance to see the lights. During the show last night, these pictures were shared on social media pages in our area. Check out pictures from Utah, Idaho, and Washington below.

UTAH

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WASHINGTON

Did you see the lights and get any good pictures? As is the case with all forecasts, viewing the Aurora Borealis is not guaranteed. We had a chance just last week to see them and that didn't pan out for most of us.