Northern lights may be visible in 15 states tonight

A map showing the extent of the possible aurora view line across the us, showing 15 states at least in part inside the aurora view line. the background image is a sweeping green northern lights show.

The northern lights may appear in skies across the northern U.S. tonight (Jan. 16), according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center.

Earth is currently being buffeted by a high-speed solar wind stream from a colossal coronal hole on the sun. When this speedy solar wind arrives at Earth, it can impact our magnetosphere enough to cause periods of geomagnetic storming at the minor (G1) to moderate (G2) levels. This, in turn, can lead to impressive aurora displays.