Exceptional Aurora Borealis alert: What to Anticipate on january 19-20, 2026

A spectacular display of teh aurora borealis is set to grace the night skies across a broad swath of North America from Monday evening, January 19 through early Tuesday, January 20, 2026. This unusual light show follows a significant X1.9-class solar flare that erupted from the sun on sunday, January 18. The associated coronal mass ejection (CME), a vast cloud of energized particles propelled toward Earth, is forecasted to spark intense geomagnetic disturbances.

Decoding the Geomagnetic Storm and Its Effects

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts this CME will induce a strong G3 or possibly severe G4 geomagnetic storm as it interacts with earth’s magnetic shield. On NOAA’s five-tier Space Weather scale-ranging from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme)-a Kp index reaching up to 8 signals ample disruption within our planet’s magnetosphere.

This interaction energizes atmospheric particles that collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms high above Earth’s surface.These collisions generate the vivid light displays known as auroras or Northern Lights.

Expanded Visibility: Where You Can Witness the Northern Lights

This event could allow residents in up to 24 U.S. states, including mid-latitude areas such as Oregon, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and parts of New England, to observe this breathtaking phenomenon. Normally confined closer to polar regions like Alaska and northern states such as Minnesota or Maine, these storms push visibility much farther south when geomagnetic activity intensifies.

• Primary viewing zones: Alaska; northern Washington; Idaho; Montana; Wyoming; North Dakota; South Dakota; Minnesota; Wisconsin; Michigan; New York;
• If storm escalates: Oregon; Nebraska; iowa; Illinois; Indiana; Ohio;
• Northeastern coverage includes: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont & New Hampshire.

A Historical parallel: The March 1989 Geomagnetic Event

An intense geomagnetic storm in march 1989 caused widespread power outages across Quebec while producing brilliant auroras visible as far south as Texas-a striking example demonstrating how these natural phenomena combine awe-inspiring beauty with tangible impacts on technology and infrastructure.

Optimal Viewing Conditions for this Aurora Event

The timing coincides perfectly with a new moon phase on January 18th ensuring minimal moonlight interference-ideal for spotting faint glimmers near the horizon. Clear skies are crucial since cloud cover can obscure even strong auroral displays.

“The darker your surroundings-and especially looking northward-the greater your chances of witnessing vibrant colors,” experts monitoring space weather emphasize.

Smartphone Photography Tips for Capturing Northern Lights

• Select locations well away from urban light pollution using dark sky maps or light pollution tracking tools;
• If available on your device camera app: enable Night Mode or Pro Mode settings;
• Mimic professional setups by stabilizing your phone using tripods or steady surfaces;
• Avoid digital zooming-use main lenses instead for sharper images;
• Tweak exposure times between several seconds depending on ambient brightness during observation sessions.

The Science Behind Auroral Displays Driven by Solar Activity

Auroras occur when charged solar wind particles spiral along Earth’s magnetic field lines into upper atmospheric layers where they excite gas molecules causing them to emit colorful lights-from greenish hues produced by oxygen atoms around 100 km altitude up through reds frequently enough seen higher due primarily to nitrogen interactions.

The sun recently passed its peak solar maximum late last year but remains highly active throughout early-to-mid-2026-meaning sporadic bursts capable of generating remarkable Northern Lights remain likely well into winter months and beyond this year.

Your Real-Time Aurora Monitoring Toolkit

• Keep track of NOAA’s real-time aurora forecasts and their frequent updates every half hour for sudden changes in geomagnetic conditions .
  < li >Utilize apps like Aurora Now , My Aurora Forecast , SpaceWeatherLive , or glendale Aurora which provide live data including solar wind speed , density , plus interplanetary magnetic field orientation .
  < li >< strong>Bz component : When this parameter points south (-5 nT sustained or lower), it signals an increased chance that charged particles will penetrate Earth’s magnetosphere triggering visible auroras.
  

  

  An Unforgettable Celestial Spectacle Awaits Jan.19-20!

  If you reside within predicted viewing zones-or are willing to journey north-you have an excellent chance to witness one of nature’s most mesmerizing spectacles under optimal darkness thanks partly due to favorable lunar phases at this time.< / p >

  < p >< em >Wishing all skywatchers clear horizons filled with dancing lights.< / em >< / p >