Northern lights may be visible in northern U.S. over Thanksgiving due to solar storm

A geomagnetic storm triggered by a recent solar eruption is expected to bring the captivating Northern Lights to parts of the United States this Thanksgiving weekend. The powerful eruption from the sun is predicted to make the vibrant auroras visible to a wider area of the Northern Hemisphere than usual due to the interaction of solar particles with Earth's magnetosphere.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm watch for Thursday, November 28, and a G2 (Moderate) watch for Friday, November 29, following a coronal mass ejection (CME) that occurred on November 25. The CME, associated with a filament eruption near sunspot region 3901, is projected to hit Earth late on November 28.

"This is not expected to be a widespread event and will likely only last for short intervals and could be quite faint in the affected locales," Mike Bettwy, a meteorologist at NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, said in an email, according to The Washington Post. The duration and intensity of the auroras will depend on how strong the solar storm is.

The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, are a natural phenomenon caused when charged particles from the sun collide with atoms in Earth's atmosphere. These interactions release energy in the form of light, creating breathtaking displays of colorful lights across the sky. When the CME strikes Earth's magnetic field, charged particles will glide toward the planet's magnetic poles, energizing atmospheric molecules along their path and forcing them to emit energy as colorful light.

The best chances for aurora sightings are in northern states, including Washington, Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine. Northern parts of Idaho, Wyoming, New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire may also see auroras. NOAA suggests that the optimal viewing times are between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, with peak viewing expected an hour or two before or after midnight.

Experts recommend checking NOAA's aurora dashboard and using sky observation apps for updates, as predictions can change rapidly. The Los Angeles Times advises hopeful skywatchers to get away from city lights, ideally to a high vantage point, and simply look upward toward the northern sky.

Shawn Dahl, a space weather forecaster at NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, explained that the increased aurora activity is due to where the sun is in its 11-year solar cycle. "We're not done. We're gonna be on this roller coaster ride of solar maximum the rest of this year, all of next year and even 2026," Dahl said.

As the sun approaches its solar maximum, which is expected to occur between 2025 and early 2026, increased solar activity is leading to more opportunities to view auroras over the next several months. Scientists predict solar and geomagnetic storms will continue to provide more chances to witness the Northern Lights.

While the geomagnetic storm is expected to be moderate, authorities are monitoring the event closely. Besides resulting in auroras, stronger solar storms can lead to disruptions in power grids, GPS, satellite operations, and high-frequency radio signals. However, NOAA does not anticipate major disruptions from this week's storm.

Huw Morgan, head of the solar physics group at Aberystwyth University in the United Kingdom, emphasized the importance of clear skies for viewing the aurora. "You need clear night skies," Morgan told Newsweek. He added that taking a long exposure picture with a phone is an excellent way of recording the Northern Lights.

The visibility of the auroras will also depend on local weather conditions. The Washington Post notes that areas of cloudiness may limit viewing possibilities over much of the Northeast and near the Great Lakes. National Weather Service forecasters predict a chance of rain or snow in several regions, which could hinder visibility.

This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq