Northern lights may be visible in parts of the US due to solar storms

Northern Lights May Appear in Parts of the US Due to Solar Storms

Space forecasters warn that solar storms could create colorful auroras visible across several northern U.S. states. A massive burst of solar energy, known as a coronal mass ejection, is currently en route to Earth.

“It’s possible auroras will quite likely spin up overnight,” said Shawn Dahl, a space weather forecaster with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in an email.

The geomagnetic storm triggered by the solar event is expected to arrive between Thursday evening and Friday morning. The brightness and southern reach of the auroras depend on the timing and interaction of the solar burst with Earth’s magnetic field.

Authorities are closely monitoring the storm but do not expect significant disruptions to radio or communication signals, according to Dahl.

Aurora Viewing Information

NOAA provides a tracking tool to determine when and where auroras are most likely to appear in your area.
The northern lights, also called aurora borealis, have been seen lighting up night skies near Lake Michigan and the St. region.

(Don Campbell/The Herald-Palladium via AP, File)

Summary: Solar storms caused by a coronal mass ejection could produce visible northern lights in parts of the northern U.S., with effects expected late Thursday through Friday morning and minimal communication disruption.

Associated Press News — 2025-11-06

Northern Lights May Appear in Parts of the US Due to Solar Storms

Aurora Viewing Information

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