Where to See the Northern Lights in the US Beyond Alaska

"The northern lights occur when charged particles ejected from the sun bombard the Earth, interact with the atmosphere, and glow. While this happens on a daily basis, most auroral displays are too weak to detect, and the northern lights typically stay, well, up north. But especially powerful solar events can occasionally make the northern lights visible in the US-and we're not just talking about Alaska either."

"First and foremost, you need clear skies, minimal light pollution, and a wide open view to the north (lakes and hilltops are your friend here). You might have to travel within these locations to find the perfect viewing spot. Second, in these mid-latitude locations, you need enhanced solar activity, which isn't easy to forecast. Most of the time, we have to wait until a satellite observes some action on the sun,"

The northern lights form when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth's atmosphere and produce glowing displays. Most auroral activity is too weak to see and remains concentrated in far-northern regions like Alaska, Iceland, and Norway. Exceptionally strong geomagnetic storms can push aurora visibility much farther south, sometimes making the lights visible across the entire United States, as occurred during the May 2024 Gannon storm. Successful viewing requires clear, dark skies, minimal light pollution, and an unobstructed view to the north; lakes and hilltops often provide good vantage points. Forecasting relies on monitoring solar activity and geomagnetic storm warnings, with satellites typically providing only a few days' notice.

Read at Conde Nast Traveler