Are there northern lights tonight in California? Some lucky states may see the aurora Monday

Some lucky states in the United States have a chance at seeing the northern lights, or the aurora borealis, at night on Monday, June 2.

The Space Weather Prediction Center published on Monday its aurora forecast for North America, showing its prediction of the intensity and location of the northern lights over the continent. The forecast also includes the southern-most locations that an aurora may be seen on the northern horizon tonight.

That view line spans states such as Idaho, South Dakota, Wisconsin, New York and more.

Unfortunately, California isn’t one of them, at least not as of the forecast retrieved before 10 a.m. by the Desert Sun.

A strong geomagnetic storm was observed this weekend, and the stronger the storm, the more that people in central and southern reaches of the nation have a chance at seeing the aurora, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center.

States as far south as Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska may have a chance to see the lights, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

But the following states have the highest likelihood of seeing the light show in the sky on Monday:

• Alaska
• Montana
• North Dakota
• Minnesota
• Wisconsin
• Michigan

Have the northern lights been seen in California before?

The northern lights have been seen from California before, and as recently as this past weekend. That’s according to a report from KRON, which published the work from a photographer who captured the northern lights from Windsor. Last October, Californians across the state witnessed the northern lights, including as far south as San Diego County, according to NBC 7 San Diego.

What’s the best time to see the aurora?

Go see the aurora at its best within an hour or two of midnight, or between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., said the Space Weather Prediction Center. So, plan to stay up late (or wake up extra early) and be sure to get away from city nights if the aurora is forecasted to be spotted from California.

USA TODAY reporter Julia Gomez contributed to this story.

Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at pbarraza@gannett.com.