Audio By Carbonatix
Arizona could get another rare chance to see the northern lights tonight.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is forecasting that the aurora borealis may be visible in up to 28 states on Jan. 19, including Ohio, Iowa and Colorado.
On Monday, NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center issued a G4 severe geomagnetic storm warning after a recent coronal mass ejection erupted from the sun. Strong solar storms like these can push auroral activity far south of its normal visibility range.
So will Arizona see the northern lights tonight? It’s possible, and skywatchers from Flagstaff to Tucson should keep an eye on the skies after dark.
Bob Hughes
Where in Arizona will the northern lights be visible?
NOAA’s viewing line for Monday’s space weather forecast stretches as far south as northern Utah and Colorado, though Arizona is outside the optimal viewing zone. Skywatchers in Phoenix and elsewhere could catch a glimpse tonight, though.
Well-known meteorologist Matthew Cappucci posted on social media Monday that the glow of the northern lights may be visible across Arizona and other parts of the Southwest.
Arizona has beaten such odds before. The northern lights have appeared over Flagstaff, Sedona and parts of metro Phoenix during similar geomagnetic solar storms in recent years.
When the aurora lit up Arizona in 2024 and 2025, local skywatchers reported vivid red, purple and pink hues glowing across the night sky. If the northern lights appear on Monday in Arizona, timing, location and sky conditions will make all the difference.
Aleksandra Oldak
How to see the northern lights in Arizona tonight
Skywatchers should look toward the northern horizon from locations with minimal light pollution and the darkest skies possible.
Northern and higher-elevation parts of Arizona offer the best chances of seeing the northern lights. Traveling farther north can improve visibility of the aurora borealis.
Smartphones and cameras can sometimes capture faint auroral color that is difficult to see with the naked eye. Using night mode or long exposure settings on either device may reveal subtle red or purple hues near the horizon.
Clear skies are forecast across Arizona on Monday night, so cloud cover should not interfere with viewing conditions.
Moonlight also won’t be an issue. The moon is in its waxing crescent phase, keeping skies relatively dark.
What time are the northern lights in Arizona tonight?
The best time to look for the northern lights is between 8 p.m. and midnight, when skies are darkest and geomagnetic activity often peaks.
Auroral displays can appear quickly and fade just as fast, so checking the sky periodically during that window can improve your chances.
