Northern Lights Possible Over Aurora as Solar Activity Picks Up

Solar activity is giving Aurora residents a reason to look up this week.

Northern Lights May Be Visible

Forecasters say minor geomagnetic storm conditions developed late March 6 and into the weekend, creating a chance for the Northern Lights to dip farther south than usual. While Colorado is not guaranteed a vivid display, elevated solar wind levels mean faint aurora could be visible on the northern horizon if skies are clear and light pollution is limited.

The best viewing window during similar events has typically fallen between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., when geomagnetic activity peaks. Experts note that cameras often capture more color than the naked eye, so residents hoping for a glimpse may want to use long-exposure settings on smartphones or cameras.

March Brings ‘Aurora Season’

The weeks surrounding the spring equinox are sometimes referred to as aurora season. Scientists say geomagnetic activity often increases in March and April, improving the odds of Northern Lights sightings across northern states — and occasionally as far south as Colorado.

This year’s March equinox arrives on March 20 at 8:46 a.m. local time. As daylight hours steadily increase, clearer spring nights paired with bursts of solar activity can create brief but memorable viewing opportunities along the Front Range.

What to Expect in Aurora

For Aurora residents, visibility depends on cloud cover and the strength of ongoing solar conditions. Even if the lights are faint, experts say this month could bring additional chances if solar activity remains elevated.

Those planning to watch should head away from city lights, allow eyes time to adjust to the dark, and check space weather updates for real-time geomagnetic forecasts.

Sources

https://www.space.com/live/aurora-forecast-northern-lights-possible-tonight-march-5
https://www.aol.com/news/march-could-active-month-northern-215402545.html
https://www.karmactive.com/noaa-g1-geomagnetic-storm-watch-march-2026-northern-lights-us-states/
https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/usa/aurora-co?month=3