Northern Lights might be visible in Pennsylvania
ALTOONA, PA. (WTAJ) — According to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), a powerful geomagnetic storm is expected to impact Earth Sunday evening, leaving the potential for the Northern Lights — or Aurora Borealis — to be visible for Pennsylvania.
According to the SWPC Explainer, this incoming storm is classified as a G4 or Extreme, meaning key assets to the power grid could be impacted for some regions.
Some of the weather variables we are keeping an eye on for optimal viewing would, of course, be clear skies. However, there is one factor that may limit our viewing abilities: smoke in the lower levels of the atmosphere.
Canadian wildfire smoke could deter our ability to see the event this evening, even though our sky cover is expected to cooperate.
The best viewing will be tonight into the morning hours of Monday while looking due north.
If you cannot see it with your eyes, hold your phone's camera up and watch through the camera lens or take photos using 'night mode.'
The bending of light as it interacts with Earth's atmosphere will allow different colors to be seen on the visible light spectrum.With solar activity expected to reach a peak in 2025, don't worry if you happen to miss tonight's Northern Lights. Many more are likely on their way this year.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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