10 States Could See Aurora Borealis On Valentine's Day

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According to a forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the northern lights may be visible from 10 states during Valentine's Day weekend, as geometric activity is expected to reach active levels that could expand the aurora's visibility farther south than usual.

Why it matters

The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are a natural light display in the sky caused by the collision of charged particles from the sun with gases in the Earth's atmosphere. Seeing the northern lights is a rare and breathtaking experience for many, and this forecast provides an opportunity for people in several northern U.S. states to potentially witness the phenomenon.

The details

The Kp index, which measures how far away from the poles the northern lights could be visible, is predicted to be a four out of nine both Saturday and Sunday, meaning the lights could appear brighter with more 'motions and formations.' A coronal mass ejection that passed Earth on February 11 could also slightly boost geomagnetic activity into the weekend, contributing to the potential for northern lights visibility.

• The northern lights may be visible on Saturday, February 14, 2026 and Sunday, February 15, 2026.
• The best time to view the aurora borealis is typically between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.

What’s next

Residents in the affected states should monitor weather forecasts and cloud cover conditions to determine the best opportunities to view the northern lights over the Valentine's Day weekend.