What to know about seeing the northern lights in the US on Sunday

Boston Globe

2 days ago

The auroras were caused by a 'severe' geomagnetic storm - ranked a level 4 out of 5, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center. The storm brought a strong punch of solar particles and plasma that temporarily disturbed Earth's protective magnetic bubble, providing one of the more impressive storms so far this year.
Good aurora-viewing conditions could continue to nightfall in the eastern U.S., according to forecasts by the Space Weather Prediction Center. The center will continue to update the forecast as it monitors geomagnetic conditions on Earth.
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If the storm continues at a 'severe' level Sunday night, the aurora could be seen at low latitudes again, including as far south as Alabama. For the best chances to see the aurora, get away from city lights and check the skies for cloud and smoke.
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Before heading out, here's what you need to know about seeing the aurora Sunday night.
When will I know if the aurora will appear near me?
The storm is expected to oscillate between low and severe levels of intensity for the rest of Sunday, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center.
As of Sunday morning, the center's forecasts show a chance for similarly severe storming after night falls on the East Coast. But those conditions depend on the storm remaining in a favorable connection to Earth, and other scientists don't write off that the storm could fizzle out before night.
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Forecasts will be updated as the storm evolves, so consult the latest forecast news here or on the center's website before heading out. (Sunset will occur around 8:30 p.m. in the Mid-Atlantic.)
Where are the best places to see the northern lights tonight?
The northern states - including Maine or even New York - have the best chance of seeing the aurora, even under weaker storm conditions.
If severe storming occurs Sunday night, people could see the northern lights as far south as Alabama. Many already reported seeing the aurora in the western U.S., from Texas to Montana, on social media during severe conditions early Sunday.
Forecasts as of Sunday morning show the light show could dip to these similar latitudes again. A slightly weaker storm could still bring auroras as far south as Illinois and Oregon.
Some have also been able to capture the lights farther south than predicted on their cameras and cellphones, as lenses are more sensitive to the light than our eyes are.
Many people experienced brilliant aurora in May 2024, which was the most intense solar storm in 20 years. This storm won't be at the same level, but it will be similar to the one in October that brought the light show to the National Mall in D.C.
Will the aurora be blocked by clouds?
Clouds and wildfire smoke could complicate some aurora viewing.
The areas with the least amount of clouds Sunday night will probably be in the eastern half of the U.S. - from parts of North Dakota to West Virginia. Clouds may appear in the Mid-Atlantic as the sun sets, but they may clear up as the night progresses.
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The cloudiest areas will be in the Mountain time zone as well as parts of New England.
But wildfire smoke may also provide an additional challenge, as smoke from Canada is stretching across the Midwest to the East Coast.
Although the aurora occurs much higher on Earth than the smoke, the smoke could affect the vibrancy of the colors.
What will the aurora look like near me?
Not all auroras appear the same. Some are dancing bright green and purple curtains, and others are a diffuse reddish-orange glow. The colors and shape of the aurora appear differently depending on the latitude and altitude.
Dancing green and purple auroras are usually seen in higher-latitude places such as Canada or along the U.S.-Canada border. Lower latitudes usually see more red auroras because red occurs at higher altitudes and can be seen farther from the poles. If you're in the midlatitudes (in Virginia or Arizona, for example), your aurora may appear more red than those in Canada or Finland.
If I missed this aurora, will there be more opportunities to see one near me?
Auroras depend on activity from the sun, which can produce intense eruptions quickly that take a day or so to travel to Earth.
After Sunday night, the chances of seeing an aurora in the lower U.S. will be low in the following days as activity decreases.
However, the sun has been its most active in 20 years for the past year or so. The sun's magnetic activity naturally waxes and wanes in 11-year periods, known as the solar cycle. In October, NASA said the sun entered the maximum phase of its cycle - potentially continuing for the next year.
Scientists can't predict exactly when, but statistics indicate that the sun probably will continue to produce some notable storms before it enters a less active phase of its solar cycle.
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