Northern lights may be visible tonight in 24 states including WA

The Northern Lights may be visible in 24 states tonight—including Washington.

According to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, a strong geomagnetic storm is underway, with the chance for us to catch a glimpse.

We can see the Northern Lights when a surge of charged particles from the sun interacts with the Earth’s magnetic field.

Heads up photographers and aurora fans. We could see the northern lights tonight. G4 Watch in effect for tonight due to anticipated CME ( coronal mass ejection ) arrival at Earth. For many areas the sky will be clear. #wawx pic.twitter.com/4H44I1S8w7
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) January 19, 2026

The National Weather Service (NWS) says a G4 Watch is in effect. Geomagnetic storm “G levels” range from G1 to G5, with G5 being the most extreme:

G1 | MINOR
G2 | MODERATE
G3 | STRONG
G4 | SEVERE
G5 | EXTREME

According to KIRO 7’s Pinpoint Meteorologist, it is the strongest solar radiation storm in 20 years, but how much of a show we will see depends largely on the coronal mass ejection – or CME’s – magnetic orientation when it hits our planet.

KIRO 7’s Pinpoint Meteorologist Nick Allard predicts that between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. will be the best time for us to see them.