Aurora forecast: Northern lights likely across US, including New York

Aurora Forecast: Northern Lights Visible Across the US

The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center reports a strong geomagnetic storm currently underway. This event increases the chances of seeing the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, across much of the northern United States.

Geographic Range of Visibility

The northern lights are most likely visible from New York on the East Coast to Washington state in the West. The viewing zone extends as far south as Wyoming, Nebraska, and Iowa, according to NOAA's forecast map.

Conditions Affecting Aurora Visibility

The appearance of the northern lights depends heavily on the storm’s intensity and local weather conditions. Clear, dark skies and a stronger geomagnetic storm improve visibility significantly.

Storm Strength and Classification

On Thursday morning, NOAA reported a “G3” geomagnetic storm in progress. The G-scale ranges from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). NOAA describes a G3 storm as:

"A larger disturbance in Earth's magnetic field. It can vary in intensity between lower levels and strong storm conditions over the course of hours to a day during the event duration."

Additional Impacts of Strong Geomagnetic Storms

Potential fluctuations in power grids
Interference with satellite operations
Possible disruptions to GPS systems

These technological effects complement the natural phenomenon, illustrating the broad impact of strong geomagnetic activity.

Summary

The current strong geomagnetic storm increases the likelihood of aurora sightings across northern and some central US states, but clear skies and storm strength are key for optimal viewing.

Author's summary: A strong geomagnetic storm is boosting chances to see the northern lights across the northern US, from New York to Washington, with visibility influenced by weather and storm intensity.

Newsweek — 2025-11-06