Technology & Science
NOAA Issues Jan 16-18 2026 G1–G2 Aurora Alert, Spurring Lower-Latitude Sightings and Iceland Tourism Surge
On 16 January 2026 the U.S. NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center upgraded its outlook to a minor-to-moderate (G1–G2) geomagnetic storm for 16–18 Jan, extending potential aurora visibility to 15 U.S. states and triggering an immediate marketing push and booking spike for Iceland’s peak-season aurora tours.
Focusing Facts
- NOAA’s 3-day forecast (16 Jan 2026) called for Kp 5–6 conditions, categorised as G1–G2, through 18 Jan owing to a high-speed solar-wind stream from a large coronal hole and an associated CME.
- The official SWPC ‘view line’ placed all or part of 15 U.S. states—from Washington and Idaho east to Maine and as far south as Iowa/northern Illinois—inside the potential aurora zone.
- Icelandic Tourism Board reports January–March 2026 Northern Lights tour reservations are up double-digit percentages versus 2025 following the same NOAA bulletin.
You've read the facts. The perspectives are behind this line.
Perspectives in this article
- Science-focused space media
- Tourism industry publications
- Regional & lifestyle outlets targeting local readers