Montana Might Get a Rare Northern Lights Show This Week

Montana’s Weather Transformation

After days of gloomy, wet, and even snowy weather across Montana, things are finally starting to turn around. And just in time, too, because we could be in for a pretty incredible night sky show.

Forecasters say skies are expected to clear enough for a strong chance to see the Aurora Borealis Wednesday night into early Thursday morning.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, conditions are lining up across a wide stretch of the northern U.S. That includes much of Montana, along with parts of Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota. If everything comes together, this could be one of those rare nights when the lights dip farther south than usual.

Maximize Your Aurora Viewing Experience

Of course, it all comes down to cloud cover. Even with strong solar activity, clouds can block the view. If you are planning to head out, keep an eye on local conditions. The best viewing window is usually late at night into the early morning hours, away from city lights.

READ MORE: Two Beautiful Montana Locations That Have Dark Skies

There is also a bigger weather picture starting to take shape.

Summer Forecast: Drier Days Ahead

The Old Farmer’s Almanac is calling for a dry summer across both eastern and western Montana. Both regions are expected to trend drier than average, though western Montana could see slightly cooler temperatures. That could take some of the edge off the heat during peak summer months.

READ MORE: Farmer’s Almanac Predicts Dry Montana Summer with Wild Temperature Swings

For now, though, all eyes are on the sky. If the clouds cooperate, Wednesday night could bring a rare and memorable light show across Big Sky Country.