Northern lights may be visible in 22 US states tonight

Northern Lights May Be Visible in 22 US States Tonight

Auroras are expected to be visible from Alaska to Illinois as geomagnetic storm conditions continue tonight. Earth is preparing for a significant impact from a fast-moving coronal mass ejection (CME) launched during yesterday's M7.4 solar flare.

The CME is predicted to arrive late tonight or early Friday morning (UTC), potentially causing strong geomagnetic storm conditions classified as G3, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center.

Recently, a surprising display of auroras appeared overnight due to a glancing CME combined with effects from a high-speed solar wind stream. This event pushed geomagnetic activity to G3 levels, producing northern lights across the northern U.S., Canada, and Europe.

Current Storm Watches and Forecast

The Met Office has issued G3 storm watches effective for November.
If the CME arrives as expected and aligns well with Earth's magnetic field, auroras could intensify across both high and possibly mid-latitude areas.

Expert Commentary

Space weather physicist Tamitha Skov called the forecast "an aurora photographer's dream starting now and lasting at least through the weekend," noting that storm levels could reach G3 to G4 by Friday as multiple CMEs interact with Earth's magnetic field.

These geomagnetic storms may allow unusual sightings of the northern and southern lights across a broad area of the United States.

Summary: A series of solar events is poised to enhance aurora visibility across many US states tonight, offering lasting geomagnetic activity and spectacular northern lights through the weekend.

Space — 2025-11-06