An incoming geomagnetic storm will likely bring northern lights displays to more states in the northern U.S. this weekend, with a chance to see the phenomenon Thursday night, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

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There's a higher chance of viewing auroral activity across northern Canada and most of Alaska, while the view line dips below the Canadian border and just above Iowa for Thursday (see map below). Parts of northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, northern Montana, North Dakota, northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan have a lower likelihood of viewing the phenomenon, while northern South Dakota, Wisconsin and northern Maine have an even lower chance. On Friday, more states will have an opportunity, including northern Iowa, New York, New Hampshire and Vermont.

The best time to view auroral activity is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time while at a high vantage point away from light pollution, according to NOAA. If conditions are optimal, the displays may be seen from as much as 620 miles away.

NASA says smartphone cameras are more sensitive to the northern lights' colors and can capture auroral activity if night mode is enabled, even if the event isn't visible to the naked eye. If using a regular camera, a wide-angle lens, high ISO value and focus set to the farthest possible setting are recommended.

The swirling, colorful displays of the northern lights are caused by an increase in activity on the sun's surface. NASA said in October the sun's 11-year cycle had reached a "solar maximum," indicating an increased rate of space weather events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections. Activity on the sun's surface is measured over 11-year periods and gradually increases and decreases during this period, also achieving a "solar minimum." The strongest geomagnetic storm in two decades reached Earth in May, NASA said, creating what the agency said were likely the strongest northern lights displays "in the past 500 years" while pulling the phenomenon as far south as Texas and northern Florida. This peak in activity will likely persist into 2026 before decreasing through 2030, according to NASA.