Northern lights could be visible in upper fringes of the U.S. this New Year's Eve
There's a chance solar storms may bring northern lights to several northern U.S. states just in time for the new year.
The sun expelled two bursts of plasma that are hurtling toward Earth and are expected to arrive early this week, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Once they arrive, they may spark colorful auroras Monday and Tuesday nights in Alaska, Washington, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. Parts of Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Iowa and New York may also get a piece of the view.
The early morning hours on Tuesday while it's still dark should have the best chance of producing a light show, NOAA space weather forecaster Shawn Dahl said.
Updated forecasts may be available as the event draws closer on NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center website or an aurora forecasting app.
The sun is at the maximum phase of its 11-year cycle, making solar surges and northern lights more frequent.
The northern lights are most visible just after sunset or just before sunrise, ideally away from bright city lights, NOAA said. Taking a picture with a smartphone camera may also reveal hints of the aurora that aren't visible to the naked eye.
The active period is expected to last for at least another year, though scientists won't know when solar activity peaked until months after the fact.
NOAA is monitoring this week's solar storms for possible minor disruptions to high-frequency radio communications, which are used by airlines and amateur radio operators.
In May, NOAA issued a rare severe geomagnetic storm warning — it was the strongest storm in more than two decades, producing light displays across the Northern Hemisphere. And in October, a powerful solar storm dazzled skygazers far from the Arctic Circle when auroras appeared in unexpected places, including Germany, the United Kingdom, New England and New York City.
Note: The above video first aired on Oct. 11, 2024
Northern lights to ring in New Year's Eve in parts of United States
Dec. 30 (UPI) -- The northern lights are forecast to put on a New Year's show as far south as Illinois, New York and Oregon starting Monday night, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The powerful geomagnetic storm, or coronal mass ejection of solar material, is classified as a strong warning G3 that could produce northern lights visible through New Year's Eve in as many as 18 states.
The G3 solar storm is forecast to spark an Aurora Borealis "visible over many of the northern states and some of the lower Midwest to Oregon," NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center wrote in a post on X.
The CME, or large plume of plasma and magnetic field that is forecast to produce northern lights well into the United States, came from the sun and was flung into space toward Earth on Dec. 29.
"The sun has really stepped up over the past few days, with frequent solar flares including a strong X-class event!" said solar astrophysicist Ryan French. "A selection of these flares produced Earth-directed eruptions, expected to trigger a strong geomagnetic storm, bringing aurora, on the 31st!"
The electrically-charged sun particles, called ions, are expected to collide with the Earth's magnetic field and atmospheric gases to spark geomagnetic storms and lights, known as Aurora Borealis, in the Northern Hemisphere.
The northern lights, which are forecast to rival any New Year's Eve fireworks show if skies are clear, can be viewed between 10 p.m. EST on Monday and 10 a.m. on Tuesday with more activity expected, starting at 10:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve.
Northern lights are best viewed "within an hour or two" of midnight, between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., according to SWPC, which advises traveling away from city lights and heading to higher vantage points for nature's light show.
In July, a G2 solar storm brought views of the northern lights into the United States, as far south as New York. Another Aurora Borealis was viewed much farther south than normal in October as strong solar storms produced skies of pink, purples and greens in Virginia.
Starting Monday night, Alaska will have the best chance to see the northern lights. Other states with good views include Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin. Also along the Aurora's projected view line are New York, Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
Northern lights to ring in 2025? Look to the skies in these 18 states on New Year's Eve.
If you haven't seen the northern lights this year — now might be your last chance. And what a fun way to ring in the new year!
The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) issued a geomagnetic storm watch for Dec. 31 ahead of an incoming solar storm caused by an eruption of solar material (otherwise known as a coronal mass ejection or CME) that happened on the sun’s surface on Dec. 29. A CME explosion is caused by the sun’s magnetic field and, like in this case, can sometimes result in incredible aurora displays.
The SWPC said that the G3-level of the geomagnetic storm is “infrequent but not uncommon” and that the aurora “may become visible over many of the northern states,” as far south as Illinois and Oregon.
NASA reported that northern lights' visibility hit a 500-year peak this year because of the frequent solar activity, with the sun having reached its solar maximum in October.
These storms are caused by several solar-related changes that impact the Earth’s magnetosphere, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) explains. The largest ones, like the one expected to occur on Dec. 31, are associated with CMEs.
Sometimes solar storms can cause issues with satellites and navigation systems and can cause problematic currents with power grids and pipelines.
NASA reports that thanks to Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere, residents are not directly harmed by any of these storms. Instead, they can witness solar flares and northern lights, as is expected in this case. According to the NOAA, solar storms of this scale are predicted to bring an aurora that "will become quite bright and active."
A storm watch is in effect for Dec. 31. CMEs travel several million miles per hour, so the NOAA predicts that the best time to see the lights would be between 10 p.m. ET on Dec. 30 and 10 a.m. ET on Dec. 31, according to Space.com. There’s also another anticipated time slot of 4 p.m. ET on Dec. 31 to 10 p.m. ET on Jan. 1.
The SWPC anticipates that Alaska will have the best chance of seeing the lights starting Monday evening. Other states that are likely to see the lights are Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin. New York, Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine are along the aurora’s projected view line as of Monday.
The NOAA says that viewers must get away from city lights to best view the aurora.
Even if the aurora is reported as being active during the day, the best time to view the lights is usually within an hour or two of midnight local time. A full moon can also diminish the aurora’s brightness for viewers, but the next full moon isn’t until Jan. 13.
If viewers are looking at maps, the NOAA also notes that the aurora does not need to be directly overhead to be seen — especially if it’s bright and weather conditions are right.
The year 2024 was huge for solar news. In April, a total solar eclipse was visible to millions of Americans, which was then followed by multiple widespread northern and southern lights caused by CMEs.
While the solar maximum peak passed in October and no total solar eclipses were forecast for next year, 2025 will still be affected by the heightened solar activity of these last few months.
