Northern lights glow over Washington tonight

Forecasts from NOAA suggest Washington residents may glimpse the northern lights on Aug 7 and 8 as skies clear.

Northern lights glow over Washington tonight and Friday

Stargazers in Washington may catch the northern lights on Thursday night and Friday morning as NOAA forecasts place much of the state inside the aurora view line. The Space Weather Prediction Center says the display could appear on the northern horizon, with best odds when skies are dark and conditions are clear. Forecasters note that cloud cover is likely to be low in many areas, including Western and Eastern Washington, increasing the chances of seeing a glow in the night sky.

Weather officials predict mostly clear to partly cloudy skies during the late night to early morning hours. The aurora depends on solar activity and atmospheric conditions, so observers should plan for a viewing window rather than a fixed moment. Tips include escaping city lights and using long exposure photography to capture the colors when they appear.

Forecasts for auroras combine science with a touch of luck. When conditions align, the Northwest can become a quiet stage for a rare spectacle that draws people outdoors and into conversations about space weather. This moment highlights how forecasts translate space activity into something tangible for communities and tourism alike.

The challenge for viewers is weather and light pollution. If a forecast misses a cloud cover spike, the moment may pass unnoticed. Still, the article shows how local forecasts extend a sense of wonder into ordinary evenings and could boost nighttime photography groups and small local events in towns across the state.

Highlights

The night sky keeps its promises and teaches patience.