Skygazers, get ready for a real show in the sky. This week — right in the middle of it — people across the US, and even way outside the usual “northern” zone, might catch the Northern Lights thanks to a powerful geomagnetic storm headed our way.Per People, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a “Strong Geomagnetic Storm (G3) Watch” for June 4 and June 5 after multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) erupted from the Sun and were projected to interact with Earth's magnetic field. The boosted solar activity has prompted alerts that the aurora borealis could become visible across as many as 23 US states, offering millions of Americans a rare chance to witness the colourful phenomenon without travelling to Alaska or northern Canada.Northern Lights in midweek: What’s happening?Earlier this week, the Sun sent out a series of significant solar flares (M-class and X-class eruptions for the science types), launching loads of charged particles toward Earth. At least one of these will hit Earth’s magnetic field, which is exactly what’s needed for a widespread aurora.What does that mean in simple terms? When solar particles slam into gases way up in our atmosphere, they release energy as shimmering colored lights. The standard color is green, but if you’re lucky, you could see pink, purple, red, or blue too.Normally, this is an Arctic event. But when a geomagnetic storm is strong, the “auroral oval” gets shoved way farther south. However, NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center says the approaching storm might be powerful enough for G3-level conditions, and that’s a major push for aurora activity across much of North America.Northern Lights: How, when, and where to watch?So, where’s your best shot? Along the US-Canada border is usually where the show’s best, but depending on how strong the storm gets, the lights could stretch much deeper south.Top states to watch from: Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York.If the storm’s especially intense, parts of Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and even New Jersey might see the glow. The exact line will keep shifting, so you have to check for last-minute updates.As for the best viewing window, peak times are late Thursday night into early Friday, and again Friday night. The best shot is between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Eastern, but really, any time from full nightfall to sunrise, it’s worth checking outside.Now, who doesn’t want the best view of a midweek Northern Lights show?So, make plans to head somewhere dark and get a clear sightline facing north, away from streetlights and buildings. Even if you can’t see the lights with your eyes, try pointing your phone up in Night Mode. Sometimes cameras pick up colors people can’t spot.However, one itch that might persist — the weather could spoil the lights party. Clouds, haze, or city glare can easily block out auroras, no matter how strong the storm. Plus, because it’s June, nights are pretty short, and northern skies don’t get fully dark, so time is tight.However, to keep a track of the peak viewing windows, keep checking NOAA’s Aurora Viewline Forecast and Space Weather Prediction Center for updates during the evening, as they’re constantly updating maps and predictions as things change.For a lot of people, this could be their best shot at seeing the aurora in 2026. So, if you’re anywhere from Minnesota or Maine to as far south as Illinois or New Jersey, don’t sleep on it. Clear skies and a little luck, and you could catch one of the coolest light shows on Earth without even leaving home.