The cosmos is delivering a perfect Valentine's gift: the northern lights are expected to paint the sky this weekend across parts of the northern United States and Canada. A minor geomagnetic storm could make the northern lights visible across parts of the northern U.S. and Canada this Valentine's Day weekend, turning Saturday night and Sunday into something truly magical.
If you're in the right spot, you might score the perfect Valentine's Day surprise. Auroras may appear across Alaska and northern parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York and Maine. The farther north and the further away you are from the city, the better, so head somewhere with open views and a clear view of the northern horizon.
But here's the timing: your best window is shortly after sunset and into the overnight hours on Saturday, Feb. 14, and Sunday, Feb. 15, with Sunday likely to have the strongest activity. Charged particles from the sun may collide with gases in Earth's atmosphere, creating those dreamy ribbons of green, pink, and violet light.
Don't worry—no special equipment needed. There is no need to use special equipment to watch aurora borealis; with the naked eye, you can experience this mesmerizing event. The optimal time to witness the northern lights is usually between 10 PM and 2 AM, when geomagnetic activity tends to peak. Get to a dark spot away from city lights, grab a blanket, and keep your eyes on the northern sky. It's unpredictable—auroras can show up suddenly or dance for hours—but that's part of the charm.