Fall is best time to try to see northern lights in Washington

The leaves aren’t the only thing that could change colors as fall gets underway.

The fall equinox, along with its spring counterpart, is one of the best times of the year to see the northern lights, according to EarthSky.

That’s especially true in Washington, which is often just outside of the range where the northern lights are visible.

What could be in store for local stargazers as the seasons change?

The autumn equinox officially marks the first day of fall.

In 2025, the fall equinox landed on Monday, Sept. 22, at 11:19 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time.

What are northern lights?

Auroras are caused by “electrons colliding with the upper reaches of Earth’s atmosphere,” according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.

The sun’s particles collide with oxygen and nitrogen ato