{"id":490,"date":"2026-04-17T13:28:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T13:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hyokal.com\/?p=490"},"modified":"2026-04-17T13:28:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T13:28:00","slug":"the-northern-lights-may-be-visible-as-far-south-as-illinois-and-oregon-tonight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hyokal.com\/?p=490","title":{"rendered":"The Northern Lights may be visible as far south as Illinois and Oregon tonight."},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<p id=\"elk-f4968156-9c0d-4713-a955-2c34d2c81599\">Aurora chasers, be careful! A rapid surge of solar wind is currently hurtling toward Earth at speeds of up to 430 miles per second (700 kilometers per second), conditions that could generate geomagnetic storms tonight (April 17) and tomorrow (April 18).<\/p>\n<p>NOAA&#8217;s Space Weather Prediction Center has announced a moderate (G2) geomagnetic storm watch, but Met Office forecasters say a strong (G3) geomagnetic storm is possible if activity intensifies.<\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"\/>\n<p id=\"elk-f4968156-9c0d-4713-a955-2c34d2c81599-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">In that case, <u>aurora<\/u> It is likely to travel much further south than usual and could even be seen in parts of the southern United States, including Illinois and Oregon.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet=\"\" class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\">\n        <span class=\"&#10;            flex&#10;            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold&#10;        \"><\/p>\n<p>            you may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-04c74569-5f1a-4a6a-82f0-4032e939b999\">Geomagnetic storms are ranked as follows:<u> G scale<\/u>from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). Stronger storms can cause the aurora to move much further away from the poles, making it visible throughout the mid-latitudes.<\/p>\n<p><u>aurora<\/u> when to form <u>solar wind<\/u> interact with <u>earth&#8217;s magnetic field<\/u>sending charged particles into the upper atmosphere. There, they collide with gases such as oxygen and nitrogen, transferring energy that is emitted as light, producing the colorful displays seen in the night sky. The stronger the solar wind, the more dynamic and widespread the auroras can be.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-a8e3ce89-54bb-4f1a-bcdb-b7d37fb4f479\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:940px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:59.79%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B3pibCTstkfsuRKfYRee2h-940-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B3pibCTstkfsuRKfYRee2h-940-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B3pibCTstkfsuRKfYRee2h-940-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B3pibCTstkfsuRKfYRee2h-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B3pibCTstkfsuRKfYRee2h-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B3pibCTstkfsuRKfYRee2h-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"><br \/>\n<\/source><\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">NOAA&#8217;s April 17-18 geomagnetic storm monitoring. <\/span><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: NOAA SWPC)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-where-can-i-see-the-northern-lights-tonight\"><span>Where can I see the Northern Lights tonight? <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-7b5ee374-f4e7-4425-8092-627e75b3e486\">Depending on whether conditions are right to trigger a geomagnetic storm, aurora borealis could be visible across the northern United States tonight. However, remember that auroras are never guaranteed and depend on how well the solar wind interacts with Earth&#8217;s magnetic field.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-table-8fRPM7gvp8rTYXLWraLFs3-9CGDt7EEuRJgtFoXZvIoHfDEEzrb6COT\" class=\"slice-container table-wrapper table-8fRPM7gvp8rTYXLWraLFs3-9CGDt7EEuRJgtFoXZvIoHfDEEzrb6COT slice-container-table\">\n<div class=\"table__instruction\">Swipe to scroll horizontally<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 23 30\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M21.554 15.726a2.878 2.878 0 0 0-1.705-.374 2.881 2.881 0 0 0-1.388-3.068 2.877 2.877 0 0 0-1.992-.333 2.884 2.884 0 0 0-.1-.766 2.865 2.865 0 0 0-1.346-1.75c-.47-.27-.996-.4-1.527-.385l2.742-4.73a2.87 2.87 0 0 0 .323-.83h2.612V2.084h-2.661A2.861 2.861 0 0 0 15.18.385a2.903 2.903 0 0 0-3.952 1.055l-.373.644H2.983l1.003-1L2.99.09 1.28 1.793l-.999.995L2.99 5.484l.998-.994-1.003-.999h7.054L6.505 9.586c-.34.066-.905.186-1.523.366-1.405.41-2.321.895-2.8 1.483-.742.911-1.159 2.513-1.277 4.898l-.001.01c-.067 1.816.946 6.943.99 7.16a.688.688 0 0 0 1.35-.266c-.01-.051-1.023-5.177-.963-6.84.127-2.556.598-3.64.97-4.098.133-.163.602-.587 2.104-1.027l.206-.058-1.425 2.458a.685.685 0 0 0 .252.937c.33.19.75.077.94-.251L12.42 2.126a1.52 1.52 0 0 1 2.07-.552c.35.2.6.527.705.916.105.39.051.797-.15 1.145l-4.767 8.222a.685.685 0 0 0 .252.937c.33.19.75.077.94-.25l.794-1.368c.201-.348.529-.597.92-.702a1.508 1.508 0 0 1 1.854 1.066c.105.39.052.796-.15 1.144l-.377.652-.002.002-.898 1.55a.685.685 0 0 0 .252.938c.329.189.75.077.94-.251l.9-1.551c.201-.348.528-.597.92-.702a1.512 1.512 0 0 1 1.703 2.21l-1.223 2.11a.685.685 0 0 0 .252.938c.33.189.75.076.941-.252l.5-.862c.202-.348.529-.597.92-.702.392-.104.8-.051 1.15.15.723.416.972 1.34.554 2.06l-3.525 6.08c-.517.892-1.57 1.795-3.044 2.611-1.156.64-2.163.998-2.173 1.002a.685.685 0 0 0 .23 1.333.688.688 0 0 0 .229-.04c.18-.062 4.419-1.575 5.952-4.22l3.524-6.08a2.878 2.878 0 0 0-1.059-3.934Z\" fill=\"#333\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n<div class=\"table__container\">\n<table tabindex=\"0\" class=\"table__wrapper table__wrapper--inbodyContent table__wrapper--sticky table__wrapper--divider\">\n<thead class=\"table__head\">\n<tr class=\"table__head__row\">\n<th class=\"table__head__heading table__head__heading--left\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p><strong>magnetic storm<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th class=\"table__head__heading table__head__heading--left\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p><strong>As far south as possible <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"table__body\">\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\" style=\"text-align:left\">\n<p>G3 &#8211; Strong<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\" style=\"text-align:left\">\n<p>Illinois and Oregon<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\" style=\"text-align:left\">\n<p>G2 &#8211; Moderate<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\" style=\"text-align:left\">\n<p>new york and idaho<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\" style=\"text-align:left\">\n<p>G1 &#8211; Minor<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\" style=\"text-align:left\">\n<p>Northern Michigan and Maine<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"northern-hemisphere-aurora-forecast-courtesy-of-the-u-k-met-office-3\">Aurora forecast for the Northern Hemisphere provided by the UK Met Office<\/h2>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-what-time-should-i-look-for-the-northern-lights-tonight\"><span>What time should I look for the aurora tonight? <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f3fd605a-1d72-4959-93b1-36fb2c1e31c7\">The Northern Lights can be seen tonight and tomorrow (April 17-18) across the northern states of the United States.<\/p>\n<p>According to <u>NOAA 3-day forecast<\/u>activity is expected to peak in the next period.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-table-8fRPM7gvp8rTYXLWraLFs3-P0ihEkUOtdeqPg71OobD1RBcNCd977W7\" class=\"slice-container table-wrapper table-8fRPM7gvp8rTYXLWraLFs3-P0ihEkUOtdeqPg71OobD1RBcNCd977W7 slice-container-table\">\n<div class=\"table__instruction\">Swipe to scroll horizontally<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 23 30\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M21.554 15.726a2.878 2.878 0 0 0-1.705-.374 2.881 2.881 0 0 0-1.388-3.068 2.877 2.877 0 0 0-1.992-.333 2.884 2.884 0 0 0-.1-.766 2.865 2.865 0 0 0-1.346-1.75c-.47-.27-.996-.4-1.527-.385l2.742-4.73a2.87 2.87 0 0 0 .323-.83h2.612V2.084h-2.661A2.861 2.861 0 0 0 15.18.385a2.903 2.903 0 0 0-3.952 1.055l-.373.644H2.983l1.003-1L2.99.09 1.28 1.793l-.999.995L2.99 5.484l.998-.994-1.003-.999h7.054L6.505 9.586c-.34.066-.905.186-1.523.366-1.405.41-2.321.895-2.8 1.483-.742.911-1.159 2.513-1.277 4.898l-.001.01c-.067 1.816.946 6.943.99 7.16a.688.688 0 0 0 1.35-.266c-.01-.051-1.023-5.177-.963-6.84.127-2.556.598-3.64.97-4.098.133-.163.602-.587 2.104-1.027l.206-.058-1.425 2.458a.685.685 0 0 0 .252.937c.33.19.75.077.94-.251L12.42 2.126a1.52 1.52 0 0 1 2.07-.552c.35.2.6.527.705.916.105.39.051.797-.15 1.145l-4.767 8.222a.685.685 0 0 0 .252.937c.33.19.75.077.94-.25l.794-1.368c.201-.348.529-.597.92-.702a1.508 1.508 0 0 1 1.854 1.066c.105.39.052.796-.15 1.144l-.377.652-.002.002-.898 1.55a.685.685 0 0 0 .252.938c.329.189.75.077.94-.251l.9-1.551c.201-.348.528-.597.92-.702a1.512 1.512 0 0 1 1.703 2.21l-1.223 2.11a.685.685 0 0 0 .252.938c.33.189.75.076.941-.252l.5-.862c.202-.348.529-.597.92-.702.392-.104.8-.051 1.15.15.723.416.972 1.34.554 2.06l-3.525 6.08c-.517.892-1.57 1.795-3.044 2.611-1.156.64-2.163.998-2.173 1.002a.685.685 0 0 0 .23 1.333.688.688 0 0 0 .229-.04c.18-.062 4.419-1.575 5.952-4.22l3.524-6.08a2.878 2.878 0 0 0-1.059-3.934Z\" fill=\"#333\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n<div class=\"table__container\">\n<table tabindex=\"0\" class=\"table__wrapper table__wrapper--inbodyContent table__wrapper--sticky table__wrapper--divider\">\n<thead class=\"table__head\">\n<tr class=\"table__head__row\">\n<th class=\"table__head__heading table__head__heading--left\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>Time (EDT)<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th class=\"table__head__heading table__head__heading--left\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>Time (GMT)<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th class=\"table__head__heading table__head__heading--left\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>activity<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"table__body\">\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\" style=\"text-align:left\">\n<p>From 5pm (April 17th) to 2am<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\" style=\"text-align:left\">\n<p>21:00 (April 17th) &#8211; 06:00 (April 18th)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\" style=\"text-align:left\">\n<p>Moderate G2 conditions may occur<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\" style=\"text-align:left\">\n<p>From 2am to 5am<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\" style=\"text-align:left\">\n<p>0600-0900 (April 18th)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\" style=\"text-align:left\">\n<p>Possible minor G1 condition<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-how-can-i-see-the-northern-lights-from-where-i-live\"><span>How can I see the Northern Lights from where I live? <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-7d71eefe-e403-4a97-a908-61243660700b\">Find a north-facing vantage point with a clear view of the northern horizon, as far away from light pollution as possible.<\/p>\n<ul id=\"elk-568d30f0-f027-4594-bfcd-f4fad641b71c\">\n<li>Scan the sky using your phone&#8217;s camera. Cell phone cameras are great at catching the faint aurora borealis before your eyes can see them. This will tell you which direction to direct your attention to.<\/li>\n<li>Allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness for at least 30 minutes. This helps develop night vision.<\/li>\n<li>Please come dressed warmly! One of the fun parts of aurora hunting is tracking them. You won&#8217;t want to miss the show once it starts, so be prepared to sit or stand for hours if the weather is nice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p id=\"elk-3757e8cf-f7ea-421b-ab02-d14f58775210\">We recommend downloading a space weather app that provides aurora forecasts based on your location. One of the options I use is &#8220;My Aurora Forecast &#038; Alerts&#8221;. Available for both. <u>iOS<\/u> and <u>android<\/u>. However, similar apps should work fine.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-while-you-re-at-it-look-for-lyrid-meteors\"><span>In the meantime&#8230;look for the Lyrid meteor!<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1920px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bdpspqQiUR5bVacQGPUUaN-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bdpspqQiUR5bVacQGPUUaN-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bdpspqQiUR5bVacQGPUUaN-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bdpspqQiUR5bVacQGPUUaN-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bdpspqQiUR5bVacQGPUUaN-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bdpspqQiUR5bVacQGPUUaN-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/hyokal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/The-Northern-Lights-may-be-visible-as-far-south-as.png\" alt=\"A diagram showing the radiant light of the constellation Lyra and the meteors that appear to originate from it.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bdpspqQiUR5bVacQGPUUaN-1200-80.png 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bdpspqQiUR5bVacQGPUUaN-1024-80.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bdpspqQiUR5bVacQGPUUaN-970-80.png 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bdpspqQiUR5bVacQGPUUaN-650-80.png 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bdpspqQiUR5bVacQGPUUaN-480-80.png 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bdpspqQiUR5bVacQGPUUaN-320-80.png 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/hyokal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/The-Northern-Lights-may-be-visible-as-far-south-as.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/hyokal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/The-Northern-Lights-may-be-visible-as-far-south-as.png\" class=\"expandable\"\/><br \/>\n<\/source><\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The radiant point of the Lyraids meteor shower is located near the boundary between Hercules and Lyra. <\/span><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-19fcb280-8422-4d77-90e1-eda703916965\">If you&#8217;re heading out to look for the Northern Lights tonight or over the weekend, be careful. <u>Lyrid meteor shower<\/u> Too.<\/p>\n<p>The Lyrid meteor shower will be active from April 16th to April 25th, peaking before dawn on April 22nd.<\/p>\n<p>The constellation Lyra appears to radiate from the radiant of Lyra, which rises in the northwest and climbs higher in the sky into the early morning hours. However, be careful not to look directly at the radiant point. Meteors appear to originate from the constellation Lyra, but longer, more dramatic shooting stars often appear from further away, so scan as much of the sky around the radiant as possible.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>#Northern #Lights #visible #south #Illinois #Oregon #tonight<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Aurora chasers, be careful! A rapid surge of solar wind is currently hurtling toward Earth at speeds of up to 430 miles per second (700 kilometers per second), conditions that could generate geomagnetic storms tonight (April 17) and tomorrow (April 18). NOAA&#8217;s Space Weather Prediction Center has announced a moderate (G2) geomagnetic storm watch, but &#8230; <a title=\"The Northern Lights may be visible as far south as Illinois and Oregon tonight.\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/hyokal.com\/?p=490\" aria-label=\"Read more about The Northern Lights may be visible as far south as Illinois and Oregon tonight.\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":491,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[667,664,663,668,666,669,665],"class_list":["post-490","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-illinois","tag-lights","tag-northern","tag-oregon","tag-south","tag-tonight","tag-visible"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hyokal.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/490","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hyokal.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hyokal.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hyokal.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hyokal.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=490"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hyokal.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/490\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hyokal.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/491"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hyokal.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=490"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hyokal.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=490"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hyokal.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=490"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}