where was the northern lights last night

The northern lights were forecast to be visible across large parts of the northern United States, Canada, and the usual high‑latitude aurora regions last night (Jan 8–9, 2026), especially under clear, dark skies between about 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time.

Likely regions last night

• Northern U.S. states such as Alaska, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, South Dakota, Idaho, Washington, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine were all highlighted as being on or near the aurora view line for Jan 8–9, 2026.

• Classic aurora “hotspots” like northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Alaska also had good chances, as 2026 is in a period of very high auroral activity.

Why they were active

• Space‑weather agencies reported fast solar wind from a coronal hole and potential coronal mass ejections combining to drive minor geomagnetic storms, which push the auroral oval farther south than usual.

• Forecasts suggested geomagnetic conditions strong enough (around minor G1 storm levels) to make auroras visible well beyond the Arctic Circle, especially in dark, low‑light‑pollution areas.

Best viewing window

• The strongest window for aurora viewing was expected between roughly 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, with some forecasts extending potential activity into the early morning hours.

• Even within those hours, visibility depended heavily on local cloud cover, light pollution, and how far north the observer was located.

If you’re asking for your location

• Exact “yes/no” for your specific town or city would depend on:
  • Your latitude (how far north you are)
  • Local weather (clouds vs. clear skies)
  • Light pollution (rural vs. urban skies)
• If you share your nearest city or region and country, a more tailored assessment of whether you likely had aurora overhead last night can be given based on those broader regional forecasts.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.