Northern lights could be visible as far south as Alabama tonight

A huge swath of the United States – including Rhode Island – has the chance to see the northern lights tonight, January 19.

“Aurora may be seen as low as Alabama and northern California,” NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center said.

The prediction center issued a severe watch of G4 geomagnetic storm, with a geomagnetic K-index of 8. The scale for a watch goes from G1 to G5.

With a watch of this severity, the storm could impact power systems, spacecraft operations and satellite and radio navigation beyond just creating the northern lights.

While Rhode Island is in the potential view line, partly cloudy skies may block the view in the Ocean State.

Map of where Northern lights may be visible tonight

In the forecast, the following states have the best chance of seeing on Jan. 19.

• Washington
• Idaho
• Montana
• North Dakota
• South Dakota
• Minnesota
• Wisconsin
• Michigan
• Maine
• Alaska

However, the following states are in the view line, which shows where people still may have a chance of seeing the phenomena.

• Oregon
• Wyoming
• Nebraska
• Iowa
• Missouri
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• New York
• Vermont
• New Hampshire
• Massachusetts
• Connecticut
• Rhode Island

Even when you are in the potential view line for seeing the northern lights, it does not guarantee they will be visible.

When is the best time to see the northern lights?

The northern lights are typically most visible between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. according to NOAA.

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How to see the northern lights

As always, dark skies make for better stargazing.

“We typically suggest getting away from cities and find a open field or hilltop to lay out under the stars and wait for the show to really peak at the late evening or early morning hours,” Massachusetts Institute of Technology Technical Instructor and Observatory Manager Tim Brothers said in a past interview with Wicked Local.

He continued, “In New England, heading for a local conservation area or park that keeps lighting off at night is ideal. Another option is a coastline away from the larger cities — the benefit being that the constellation where you will see most of the ‘shooting stars.’”

Places to check for northern lights forecast

If you want a chance at seeing the Northern Lights, here are some websites you can monitor the sun’s activity:

Aurora Alerts

The Space Weather Prediction Center

Space.com

Aurora forecast page (NOAA)

Aurora Reach