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

Northern Lights May Appear in Parts of the U.S. Due to Solar Storms

Space forecasters predict that solar storms could produce colorful auroras visible across several northern U.S. states. A powerful burst of energy, known as a coronal mass ejection, was released by the sun and is currently traveling toward Earth.

“It’s expected to arrive between Thursday evening and Friday morning,” said Shawn Dahl, a space weather forecaster with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The brightness and the southern reach of the auroras will depend on the timing and interaction of the solar storm with Earth's magnetic field. If conditions align, auroras are “quite likely [to] spin up overnight,” according to Dahl.

Authorities are closely monitoring the event but do not expect significant disturbances to radio or communication signals.

“Space weather forecasters have issued a strong geomagnetic storm watch,” noted NOAA.

For those in areas with an aurora forecast, NOAA offers a tracking tool to help determine the best times and locations to view the northern lights.

Summary

The approaching solar storm may light up the northern sky with auroras in the U.S., with visibility depending on its interaction with Earth’s magnetosphere, while no major communication disruptions are expected.

AP News — 2025-11-06

Northern Lights May Appear in Parts of the U.S. Due to Solar Storms

Summary

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