Northern Illinois and Wisconsin are on the edge of Thursday night's viewing area. Your best bet to see the northern lights is away from cities or other areas with significant light pollution, and within an hour or two of midnight.

A geomagnetic storm will expand visibility of the aurora borealis Thursday and Friday nights. See maps of which states will get to see the northern lights.

A solar storm is forecast for Aug. 7 and 8, creating favorable conditions for the northern lights. Here's where the northern lights may be visible.