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Will Iowa get Northern Lights tonight?

Posted on by Kennedy
Will Iowa get Northern Lights tonight?

Iowa residents will have their second chance to see the Aurora Borealis in October, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Tuesday saw a rapid coronal ejection, a burst of solar material and the Sun's magnetic fields. This triggered a “severe” G4 solar storm that will lead to greatly increased geomagnetic activity, making clocks of this magnitude “very rare,” according to NOAA. The aurora could be visible from southern Alabama to northern California.

So how can you watch the solar show in Iowa?

Northern Lights forecast: When will the Aurora Borealis be visible?

According to NOAA, the Aurora Borealis will be visible on Thursday and Friday evenings.

When can I see the Northern Lights in Iowa?

Historically, the best time to see the lights was between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m

Iowa has the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights on Thursday, as the state will be completely covered in line of sight. On Friday, the aurora borealis could be visible from northern Iowa, but the likelihood is not that great, according to NOAA.

Avoid areas with light pollution that obscures visibility. The Dark Sky Map shows the areas in Iowa with the highest and lowest light pollution.

What will the weather be like in Des Moines for the Aurora Borealis?

Clear skies with a low of 57 degrees are forecast in Des Moines Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service. Friday evening is expected to be mostly cloudy, making Thursday the best day to go out and see the Northern Lights.

How do I photograph the Northern Lights?

According to USA TODAY, the best way to photograph the Northern Lights with a smartphone is to adjust the exposure time and turn on night mode.

Iowa residents photographed the last Northern Lights and are sharing their tips

Pete Raine shared his unedited photo of the Northern Lights on Facebook on October 4th. His viewing was from his own home in Fairview, Iowa. He took the photo on an iPhone 14.

Raine said while the aurora is visible to the naked eye, it is much more vivid through his phone's camera.

Other members of the Iowa Through The Lens Facebook group recommended a 10-second exposure, which is available on the iPhone 16 Pro. Several members of the group reported seeing northern lights in Iowa throughout the week.

My Aurora Forecast & Alerts, an app for iPhone and Android, notifies you of northern lights near you and provides tips for the best viewing.

Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.

Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter at the Register. Contact her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR.

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