NOAA predictions show that the “viewline” for the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, will extend all the way to Idaho’s southern border across most of the state Friday night. That means the lights could be visible on the northern horizon. In North Idaho near the border with Canada, some viewers may see the lights directly overhead.

Scientists say the severe storm could disrupt communication systems but also bring beautiful displays of the northern lights this weekend. Geomagnetic storms occur when the sun sends a punch of charged particles and parts of its magnetic field to Earth,

Increased solar activity could cause auroras as far south as Alabama and Northern California, but may disrupt communications on Earth tonight and over the weekend.