December 23, 2025 | 05:55 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - This year, Americans are in for a magical Christmas night, with the best chance of catching the northern lights across ten cities.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Space Weather Prediction Center has released its forecast for the sky’s fascinating occurrences that highlight multiple aurora displays through the festive season.
Citing various sources, here’s the essential guide to the northern lights flares in the U.S. stargazers must note.
What Time Can You See the Northern Lights in the U.S.?
According to NOAA’s short-term outlook, the northern lights may put on a rare show across as many as 10 U.S. states tonight, December 23–24, with visibility possible as soon as darkness falls.
Forecasters say the strongest geomagnetic activity is expected between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. local time, though displays could linger into the early overnight hours.
Skywatchers are advised to monitor conditions throughout the evening, particularly in areas with dark skies, as auroral intensity can fluctuate without warning.
List of Cities in the U.S. that will See the Northern Lights Tonight
Auroras are notoriously unpredictable, and while forecasts suggest promising conditions, stronger activity could push sightings farther south if skies cooperate. See the list of the cities below:
Alaska
Idaho
Maine
Michigan
Minnesota
Montana
North Dakota
South Dakota
Washington
Wisconsin
These sky activities are fickle in their nature, so conditions may fail to align. In that case, the night could pass without any visible auroral display.
How to Watch the Northern Lights in the U.S.?
For those wondering how to watch the northern lights amid polluted air, the answer lies in location and patience. The closer you are to the north magnetic pole, and the farther from artificial light, the better your chances.
Face north and allow your eyes time to adjust, as the aurora may first appear as a faint gray glow before unfolding into vivid streaks of green, purple, and red, all visible to the naked eye under clear, unobstructed skies.
How to Photograph the Northern Lights?
For those hoping to capture the northern lights, a tripod is essential to keep images steady against the dark horizon.
DSLR users should shoot in manual mode with focus set to infinity, a shutter speed of 10-25 seconds, a wide aperture around f/2.8, and an ISO between 800 and 6000, while smartphone users can rely on night mode, the main lens, RAW format, and a tripod for clearer shots.
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