Northern Lights may return to Pacific Northwest skies Sunday night

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Sky-watchers get ready, as much of the Pacific Northwest could see the Northern Lights with the naked eye Sunday night.

Due to a powerful G3 geomagnetic storm, the recent burst of solar activity has sparked the potential for some aurora sightings not only in Washington and Oregon, but 22 other states as well.

According to the Space Weather Prediction Center at NOAA, the “view line” for the auroras will likely cover almost half of Oregon and all of Washington, extending as far south as Iowa and Nebraska.

To elevate your chance of seeing the auroras, experts say to stay clear of city lights and look towards the northern horizon.

NOAA adds that the best auroras can be seen between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. Additionally, you can capture some of the aurora’s colors using your phone camera with a long shutter speed.

If you happen to snap any photos or videos of Sunday night’s northern lights, you send them to news@koin.com.