Spectacular Solar Storm Could Light Up US Skies with Stunning Auroras

A dazzling light show might be on its way to the night skies over the United States, thanks to a powerful solar storm. The National Weather Service’s Space Weather Prediction Center has announced that the northern lights, or aurora borealis, could be visible much farther south than usual on Wednesday evening—possibly reaching regions in the Midwest and Oregon, for example.

What’s Causing This Light Show?

The sun has been extra active lately, sending out huge bursts of energy called coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These are massive clouds of superheated gas and magnetic fields that explode from the sun’s surface. When they reach Earth, they interact with our planet’s magnetic field, creating geomagnetic storms. While these storms can occasionally interfere with electrical networks, satellites, and GPS, they also produce the breathtaking auroras that we all love to watch.

This particular storm was first expected to be a level 3 (strong) on a 1-to-5 scale, but it has now been upgraded to a level 4 (severe). That means the auroras could be extra bright and widespread.

Where and When Can You See the Aurora?

If you live in the northern U.S. or even parts of the lower Midwest, you might get lucky and spot the northern lights tonight. The best viewing times are usually after dark, away from city lights. But if clouds block your view tonight, don’t worry—there’s a chance the auroras could stick around until Thursday night.

The easiest way to watch auroras is to look at the Space Weather Prediction Center's aurora dashboard. It provides real-time updates on potential locations for the lights. Take a couple shots of them even though they appear dim to you because your phone's camera may be able to capture the colors more clearly!

Why Are Solar Storms Happening More Often?

The sun goes through an 11-year cycle of activity, and right now, we’re near the peak—called solar maximum. That means more solar flares and CMEs are erupting from the sun, leading to stronger geomagnetic storms and more auroras.

In fact, just last year, an extreme level 5 storm lit up skies in places that rarely see the northern lights. Some farmers who rely on GPS for planting crops had minor issues, but overall, power grids and satellites handled the storm well.

What Do Auroras Look Like?

Auroras appear as shimmering waves of green, pink, purple, and sometimes red in the night sky. They arise from collisions between charged particles from the sun and gasses in the Earth's atmosphere. The different colors are produced by different gases; yellow and red are produced by oxygen, whereas blue and purple are produced by nitrogen.

What Should You Do If You Want to See Them?

• Find a dark spot—Get away from city lights for the best view.
• Look north—Auroras usually appear in the northern part of the sky.
• Be patient— Allow time for your eyes to adjust because they can come and go.
• Use a camera—Sometimes phones capture the colors better than our eyes can.

Will This Solar Storm Cause Any Problems?

While severe geomagnetic storms can sometimes disrupt technology, experts don’t expect major issues this time. Power companies and satellite operators are prepared to handle the extra energy from the storm. Still, there might be minor GPS glitches, so if you’re using navigation apps, keep that in mind.

A Rare Opportunity

Take advantage of the chance to witness the northern lights this far south if you can! Whether you’re in Michigan, Oregon, or even parts of the Midwest, tonight could be your night to witness one of nature’s most magical displays.

So grab a blanket, head outside, and look up—you might just catch a breathtaking dance of lights in the sky!