March 2026: A Prime Time for Northern Lights Displays

March 2026 is shaping up to be an exceptional month for viewing the northern lights, or Aurora Borealis, due to a combination of heightened solar activity and the upcoming spring equinox on March 20. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a G1 geomagnetic storm watch, indicating that solar winds from a coronal hole are likely to push the auroras further south than usual. This phenomenon occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth's atmosphere, creating vibrant displays of light.

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The northern lights are primarily caused by electrons colliding with gases in the upper atmosphere, resulting in brilliant waves of light. The likelihood of these displays increases around the equinoxes, a phenomenon known as the "equinox effect," which was first described by geophysicists Christopher Russell and Robert McPherron in a 1973 study. During this time, the interaction between the Earth's magnetic field and solar wind allows for easier access of solar particles to the atmosphere, enhancing auroral activity.

March could be an active month for northern lights displaysNewsweekPeople Magazine12 States Could See the Northern Lights This Weekend—See the Forecast Here

The best chances to view the northern lights in the U.S. are expected in northern states near the Canadian border, including Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine. If geomagnetic activity intensifies, sightings could extend further south to areas such as northern Oregon, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire. The ideal viewing window is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, preferably from a dark location with a clear view of the northern horizon. However, the bright waning gibbous moon, which is nearly 90% illuminated, may hinder visibility by lighting up the night sky.

People Magazine12 States Could See the Northern Lights This Weekend—See the Forecast HereNewsweekMarch could be an active month for northern lights displays

NOAA has emphasized the importance of monitoring real-time aurora forecasts as solar wind speeds can vary, making it challenging to predict exact peak times for auroral displays. The agency advises skywatchers to find dark locations away from light pollution for optimal viewing conditions.

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While the potential for auroras is high, some experts caution that local weather conditions, particularly cloud cover, can significantly impact visibility. The bright moonlight during this period may also obscure fainter auroras, leading to mixed experiences among viewers.

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As the month progresses, skywatchers are encouraged to remain vigilant for auroral activity, especially leading up to the spring equinox. The conditions this March could produce some of the best auroras seen in nearly a decade, with the potential for increased visibility continuing until the solar maximum cycle concludes.

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• “Timing is also working in our favor, as the weeks leading up to the spring equinox on March 20, a phenomenon known as the “equinox effect,” statistically increases geomagnetic activity, making auroras more likely to occur.” — NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center

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• “During the most active part of the cycle, known as solar maximum, the Sun can unleash immense explosions of light, energy, and solar radiation—all of which create conditions known as space weather.” — NASA

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• “NASA said: "The best months to see aurorae, statistically, are March and September.” — NOAA

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