Northern Lights may be visible tonight in many areas

telcodad

Just got this Space Weather Alert for a major Geomagnetic storm, should results in some good Auroras late tonight and tomorrow:

Space Weather Message Code: ALTK08
Serial Number: 50
Issue Time: 2025 Apr 16 2054 UTC

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 8, 9-
Threshold Reached: 2025 Apr 16 2055 UTC
Synoptic Period: 1800-2100 UTC

Active Warning: Yes
NOAA Scale: G4 - Severe

NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at
www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation

Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 45 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude.
Induced Currents - Possible widespread voltage control problems and some protective systems may mistakenly trip out key assets from the power grid. Induced pipeline currents intensify.
Spacecraft - Systems may experience surface charging; increased drag on low earth orbit satellites, and tracking and orientation problems may occur.
Navigation - Satellite navigation (GPS) degraded or inoperable for hours.
Radio - HF (high frequency) radio propagation sporadic or blacked out.
Aurora - Aurora may be seen as low as Alabama and northern California.

New Jerseyans may see the northern lights tonight. See locations, time, map
By Lori Comstock, USA TODAY NETWORK - April 16, 2025
https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2025/04/16/what-time-can-i-see-the-northern-lights-in-new-jersey-tonight-aurora-borealis-forecast-time-zip-code/83115353007/

The northern lights shone bright across several U.S. states Tuesday night, but your best chance to see the dazzling display in New Jersey could be tonight.

A “strong” solar storm that emitted a burst of highly energetic particles from the sun over the weekend is interacting with the Earth’s atmosphere, triggering colorful geomagnetic storms across the northern U.S. states. A geomagnetic storm watch issued by NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center shows tonight is the best opportunity to see the red, green and purple hues dancing in the night sky: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/news/g3-watch-16-apr-2025

While Canada and several northern states can witness the atmospheric phenomenon tonight, depending on the storm’s intensity — which experts say are difficult to predict — it may be visible as far south as New Jersey.

Here’s what to know about the northern lights, and how you might be able to spot them in New Jersey.

Can you see the northern lights tonight in NJ?
Even though conditions are proving ideal for geomagnetic storm viewing, experts have long struggled to predict the strength and where or when auroras will even occur. Even the best predictions can change within a 30-minute time frame, as seen on NOAA’s continuously updated website: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/communities/aurora-dashboard-experimental

It may be possible to view the northern lights in New Jersey tonight, particularly since this storm has the potential to be a K-index of 7 or greater, according to NOAA. This means that the auroras will be “quite bright and active.”

NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center provides updates every half hour, as well as a map that provides where the auroras may be viewed tonight: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/aurora-30-minute-forecast

Guy54435

telcodad I will be on the lookout here in Wisconsin, Have not had a chance to see them for a while as its mostly been cloudy for the Auroras this past year.

telcodad

Guy54435 I will be on the lookout here in Wisconsin,

Looks like, if your skies are clear, you’ll have a good chance of seeing them:

Guy54435

It figures it is the same as in the past year, See what happens I guess
Tonight
Wed 04/16
Low 33 °F
3% Precip. / 0
Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 33F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.

telcodad

Guy54435 It figures it is the same as in the past year, See what happens I guess
Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 33F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.

Yeah, it’s partly cloudy here too, but it’s supposed to clear after midnight:

telcodad

telcodad Yeah, it’s partly cloudy here too, but it’s supposed to clear after midnight:

Oh well, just went out to take a look - still pretty cloudy to the north here. 🙁

Somewhat-Reticent

Should be clear skies here - south of the View Line.

Guy54435

Looks pretty grayish above me, but not as grey as it could be.

real_aurgathor

Somewhat-Reticent Should be clear skies here - south of the View Line.

Clear here, too, but eyaballing that graph, we probably have no more than 10 - 20% chance. But due to a bunch of tall trees in my area, my view is a bit restricted,

However, looking at the 30 mins forecast – it’s a “don’t bother”. 🙁

telcodad

Another chance to possibly see the Northern Lights in Canada and the northern areas of the U.S.:

Northern Lights Forecast: 10 States Might See Aurora Borealis Tonight
By Ty Roush, Forbes Staff - May 29, 2025
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2025/05/29/northern-lights-forecast-10-states-might-see-aurora-borealis-tonight/

Several states may have an opportunity to see the northern lights Thursday, after some geomagnetic storm conditions pulled the phenomenon farther south earlier this week, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Where Will The Northern Lights Be Visible?

A higher chance of visibility is forecast across northern Canada and Alaska, while a lesser likelihood is expected in parts of Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota and Upper Michigan. An even lower chance to see the northern lights is forecast for parts of Washington, Idaho, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Maine.

Key Facts

NOAA forecast auroral activity with a Kp index of four on a scale of nine for Thursday night, meaning the northern lights will move farther from the poles and be more active.
Earlier Thursday morning, NOAA projected a Kp index of six as minor geomagnetic storms disrupted Earth’s atmosphere and likely pulled the northern lights to parts of Oregon, Wyoming, Iowa, New York, New Hampshire and Vermont, among other areas.
Auroral activity will likely be calmer on Friday and Saturday, with a Kp index of just over three forecast for each day, according to NOAA’s three-day forecast.
Some minor to moderate radio blackouts are also possible, with a slight chance for “strong” blackout events through Saturday that could disrupt high-frequency radio communications, NOAA said, though broader impacts are unlikely.

Sparkchaser

Looks like we’re too far south and too much light pollution.

🙁

Rook

Every time I see one of these posts I check the weather forecast to see if it’ll be clear enough to see anything.
And almost every time it pretty much says: “No Northern Lights For You!”

Guy54435

Rook yes mostly cloudy here in North Central Wisconsin here tonight, also suppose to be Air Quality alert here tomorrow from Canadian wildfires so perhaps smoke will also block seeing them here.

telcodad

Guy54435 also suppose to be Air Quality alert here tomorrow from Canadian wildfires so perhaps smoke will also block seeing them here.

Yeah, just hearing about that now:

Canada fires to carry smoke into US once again
Remember the thick smoke that blanketed parts of the U.S. in 2023? Wildfires are once again burning in Canada, and some of that smoke is now making its way south.
By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist - May 29, 2025
https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-forecasts/canada-fires-to-carry-smoke-into-us-once-again/1779212

Somewhat-Reticent

telcodad May 14 news forecast noted this

telcodad

Another chance to see the Northern Lights:

Northern lights may be visible in these 15 US States tonight and over the weekend
Auroras may be visible from Alaska to Oregon as speedy solar winds fuel geomagnetic storm conditions.
By Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com - May 30, 2025
https://www.space.com/stargazing/auroras/these-15-us-states-could-see-the-northern-lights-tonight-and-over-the-weekend-may

Northern lights could dazzle the skies over 15 U.S. States tonight (May 30) and into the weekend as active geomagnetic conditions may push auroras farther south than usual, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Earth is currently being buffeted by high-speed solar wind, which is putting pressure on our planet’s magnetic field and fueling the storm — excellent news for anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of the northern lights.

While space weather forecasters are currently predicting minor G1 geomagnetic storm conditions over the next few days, things can change quickly. Just days ago, a surprise G3 storm on May 28 triggered auroras in 17 U.S. States and even as far south as Italy. That G3 storm had originally been forecast to only reach G1 levels.

The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center predicts that the Kp index will peak at 4.67 over the weekend. For an up-to-date breakdown of timings, check out NOAA’s 3-day forecast: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/3-day-forecast

States that could see auroras tonight and over the weekend:
Alaska
Montana
North Dakota
Minnesota
Upper Michigan
Wisconsin
Idaho
Vermont
Maine
New Hampshire
New York
South Dakota
Wyoming
Washington
Iowa

telcodad

Aurora alert: Northern lights to glow over US Sunday night
The Aurora Borealis may dance over a large area of the United States on Sunday night, potentially being seen as far south as the Carolinas and Oklahoma.
By Brian Lada, AccuWeather - Updated May 31, 2025
https://www.accuweather.com/en/space-news/aurora-alert-northern-lights-to-glow-over-us-sunday-night/1780372

The biggest display of the northern lights since 2024 could unfold at the end of the weekend and start of the new week following a massive eruption on the sun. On Friday evening, satellites detected an explosive solar flare on the sun. This sent a tremendous cloud of charged particles toward the Earth, and when it arrives, it will set off an expansive display of the aurora.

The northern lights could glow as early as Sunday night, with the potential for another showing on Monday night – and people in more than half of the United States could see the Aurora Borealis. “The aurora may become visible over much of the northern half of the country, and maybe as far south as Alabama to Northern California,” NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center said. The impending solar storm is predicted to be a level 4 out of 5. ….

telcodad

Things are heating up geomagnetically:

Space Weather Message Code: ALTK08
Serial Number: 52
Issue Time: 2025 Jun 01 1347 UTC

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 8, 9-
Threshold Reached: 2025 Jun 01 1346 UTC
Synoptic Period: 1200-1500 UTC

Active Warning: Yes
NOAA Scale: G4 - Severe

NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at
www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation

Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 45 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude.
Induced Currents - Possible widespread voltage control problems and some protective systems may mistakenly trip out key assets from the power grid. Induced pipeline currents intensify.
Spacecraft - Systems may experience surface charging; increased drag on low earth orbit satellites, and tracking and orientation problems may occur.
Navigation - Satellite navigation (GPS) degraded or inoperable for hours.
Radio - HF (high frequency) radio propagation sporadic or blacked out.
Aurora - Aurora may be seen as low as Alabama and northern California.

Aurora alert: Ongoing powerful geomagnetic storm could spark more northern lights across the US tonight
Northern lights may once again be visible deep into mid latitudes tonight as geomagnetic storm conditions continue to wreak havoc with Earth’s magnetic field.
By Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com - June 1, 2025
https://www.space.com/stargazing/auroras/aurora-alert-ongoing-powerful-geomagnetic-storm-could-spark-more-northern-lights-across-the-us-tonight

Good news, aurora chasers — round two could be on the way tonight!

If you missed last night’s severe G4 geomagnetic storm last night or just can’t get enough of the northern lights, stay alert: geomagnetic storm conditions are expected to continue, so keep your eyes on the skies and your aurora alerts switched on.

Active geomagnetic storm conditions may persist into early June 2, according to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, as Earth’s magnetic field reverberates from the coronal mass ejection (CME) impact in the early hours of June 1. It is also being buffeted by high-speed solar wind from coronal holes and another CME could strike late on June 2: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/news/g4-severe-conditions-observed

telcodad

The Aurora Viewline for Tonight (June 1st - June 2nd) from: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/aurora-viewline-tonight-and-tomorrow-night-experimental

telcodad

Looks like lots of cloud cover here until after midnight: 🙁

A short term forecast (₃₀ minutes) along with the last 24 hours of activity can be found on the Aurora - 30 Minute Forecast page: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/aurora-30-minute-forecast