Seattle, Washington – A space weather alert is in effect tonight as a rare G4 (Severe) geomagnetic storm creates favorable conditions for the Northern Lights to be visible across parts of Washington, according to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center.
NOAA’s latest aurora forecast shows the auroral oval expanding well south of its typical range, placing northern and central Washington, including areas near the Canadian border, the Cascade foothills, and parts of eastern Washington, within reach of possible aurora visibility late tonight. Forecast guidance indicates a Kp index near 7 to 8, a level capable of producing visible auroras across the Pacific Northwest.
The aurora occurs when charged particles from the Sun collide with oxygen and nitrogen high in Earth’s atmosphere, producing glowing green and red light displays. This activity is being driven by a coronal mass ejection currently interacting with Earth’s magnetic field.
For viewers in northern Washington, auroras may appear as distinct green bands or curtains, especially in darker rural areas and at higher elevations. Across central and western Washington, including the Seattle metro area, the lights may appear as a faint glow low on the northern horizon, with visibility improving away from city lights.
The best chance to see the aurora is expected late tonight through the early morning hours, generally between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., weather and cloud cover permitting. Observers are encouraged to seek dark locations, avoid urban light pollution, face north, and allow time for eyes to adjust.
Auroras are harmless to people on the ground, though the same geomagnetic storm is prompting monitoring of satellites, GPS systems, and power infrastructure.
Auroral visibility may fluctuate overnight as geomagnetic conditions evolve.
