The night sky across much of the northern United States is poised for a rare and dazzling spectacle as the aurora borealis, better known as the northern lights, may be visible as far south as Ohio, Iowa, and even Vermont. This unusual opportunity comes courtesy of a moderate geomagnetic storm triggered by a recent solar eruption, and skywatchers from Michigan to Maine are hoping for a front-row seat—clouds permitting.
According to the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a geomagnetic storm watch was issued for March 19, 2026. The catalyst: a significant burst of plasma and solar material, known as a coronal mass ejection (CME), that erupted from the sun on March 16. This solar storm, rated a G2 (level 2 out of 5), is expected to hit Earth and could disrupt power systems and radio waves in some locations, while also pushing the northern lights much farther south than usual.
"Aurora may be seen as low as New York to Wisconsin to Washington state," the SWPC watch stated, as reported by USA TODAY. The aurora viewline forecast from NOAA suggests that the spectacle could stretch as far south as Lake Erie, with Ohio, Vermont, Iowa, and Michigan all in the potential viewing zone. If the storm intensifies, the dancing ribbons of green, purple, and blue light may reach even deeper into the Midwest and Northeast, though visibility is always at the mercy of local weather conditions.
The timing of this celestial event is no accident. The sun is currently at its solar maximum, a phase in its 11-year cycle when sunspots and solar flares are at their peak. NASA and NOAA confirmed that this period of heightened solar activity began in 2024 and is expected to last about a year, making solar storms—and the resulting northern lights—more frequent and more intense. As NASA explains, "The sun will be at its maximum for a year... After its maximum, solar storms will decrease and take the aurora with them."
March brings an added twist: the so-called "equinox effect." As the spring equinox approaches on March 20, Earth's magnetic field tilts in a way that increases its receptivity to incoming solar material. NOAA notes that this alignment can double the chances of auroras, helping explain why this week's geomagnetic storm is expected to be especially vivid and widespread.
The best chance to witness the aurora, according to NOAA, is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time—just after sunset or just before sunrise—when the sky is darkest. For optimal viewing, experts recommend finding a spot far from city lights and facing north. As the aurora is not visible during daylight, timing and location are crucial. And for those eager to capture the moment, National Geographic and Travelfoss both suggest using a tripod, setting your camera or smartphone to night mode, and composing shots with foreground elements like trees or buildings for added drama.
Yet, as is often the case with skywatching, weather could play the role of spoiler. Across Ohio, the National Weather Service forecasts mostly cloudy skies for Akron, Columbus, and Cincinnati on March 18, with a chance of rain and only partial clearing the following evening. In Michigan, the outlook is similarly challenging: much of the state is expected to see clouds, snow, or freezing rain, likely hampering visibility despite the aurora's predicted presence overhead. Burlington, Vermont, faces cloudy skies and possibly an inch of snow, while Iowa may see 60-85% cloud cover at 10 p.m. on March 18, improving to 40-50% in the western and southwestern parts of the state by 1 a.m. on March 19.
Still, the scope of this event is remarkable. According to the Des Moines Register and NOAA's latest maps, up to 19 states could catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis on March 18 and 19. These include Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and northern portions of Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The SWPC's dashboard map shows the potential view line for this geomagnetic storm extending farther south than usual, offering millions a rare chance to see the aurora with their own eyes—or at least through the lens of a camera.
But what causes this breathtaking phenomenon? As NASA explains, auroras are created when energetic charged particles from solar flares or CMEs travel through space at speeds up to 45 million miles per hour and collide with Earth's atmosphere. The planet's magnetic field channels these particles toward the poles, where they excite gases like oxygen and nitrogen, producing colors ranging from green and pink to red and blue. The specific hue depends on the type of gas and the energy transferred during the collision. Oxygen, for example, emits greenish-yellow or red light, while nitrogen produces blue or purplish hues. Sometimes, the aurora's glow is even detectable in ultraviolet light—though only special satellite cameras can capture that invisible dance.
Geomagnetic storms, like the one currently sweeping Earth's magnetosphere, are disturbances caused by the energy delivered along the solar wind. The largest storms coincide with major CMEs, which NASA describes as "huge bubbles of coronal plasma threaded by intense magnetic field lines that are ejected from the sun over the course of several hours." These storms can alter Earth's magnetic currents, affecting everything from satellite operations to power grids and radio communications. The Kp index, a scale from 0 to 9 used by NOAA to measure the severity of these disturbances, is expected to reach 6 during this event—well above the threshold of 5, which typically signals aurora visibility across Michigan and other northern states.
For those determined to see or photograph the northern lights, patience and preparation are key. Experts advise checking real-time aurora forecasts on the NOAA website, which offers updates and a 30-minute prediction tool. If clouds obscure the view, technology might still lend a hand: smartphone cameras in night mode can sometimes reveal colors and patterns invisible to the naked eye. As the Detroit Free Press notes, "You might be surprised at what's dancing in the sky."
With the sun at its most active, a geomagnetic storm in progress, and the equinox boosting Earth's auroral odds, this week offers a rare opportunity for millions across the United States to witness one of nature's most mesmerizing displays—if only the clouds will let them.