Aurora alert: Possible geomagnetic storm could bring northern lights as far south as New York (2025)

FAQs

Can aurora borealis be seen from New York? ›

Thanks to an increase in geomagnetic activity, northern and upper Midwest states — from New York to Idaho — may be able to catch a glimpse of the aurora's colorful hues.

The visibility for viewing will also depend on local weather conditions and city lights. Experts at NOAA said the northern lights may even be visible as far south as Alabama and Northern California.

“Every 11 years, the sun's magnetic field flips,” says McWilliams. “And mid-flip, that's when everything is all messy and energized, in a way that will interact strongly with the Earth's magnetic field.” This increased activity of late explains why people may see the Lights more often, and even further south.

The Aurora borealis, visible from Joshua Tree National Park, from Friday, May 10 to Saturday, May 11, 2024. "At the aurora's peak around 11:30 p.m. and again at 1:30 a.m., the sky was noticeably red, and streaks of lights could be seen without the assistance of a camera.

The lights are usually most active between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. EDT For the best views of the Northern Lights, the agency advises traveling as close to the poles as possible, avoiding city lights and other light pollution, monitoring weather forecasts for prime viewing conditions and finding a position on a vantage point ...

The further north you are and the darker your sky, the more chance you have of seeing the magic of Aurora. The northern lights are certainly visible from the North York Moors, with some good displays seen recently on the coast.

On rare occasions the aurora borealis can be seen as far south as the Mediterranean and the southern states of the US. During the Carrington Event, the greatest geomagnetic storm ever observed, auroras were seen even in the tropics.

Over 150 years ago, the biggest solar storm on record lit up night skies around the world. The Northern Lights dazzled city skies as far south as Honolulu, Hawaii. Want to see what the storm would look like today? Check out the 1859 Carrington Event recreated in photos!

The closer you are to the North or South Pole, the greater your chances are of seeing this amazing spectacle. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is called an aurora borealis or the northern lights. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is called an aurora australis or the southern lights.

The geomagnetic storm was the most powerful to affect Earth since March 1989, and produced aurorae at far more equatorial latitudes than usual in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. VIIRS image showing the aurora borealis over the Northern Hemisphere on 10–11 May. NOAA region no.

Can you see aurora looking south? ›

When the sun/solar wind is very active, the aurora can be seen as far south as Cuba (That's where it was seen during the 1859 superstorm). Add to this the fact that clouds block the view and even if the aurora is overhead it's not necessarily visible.

This winter, scientists are forecasting a surge in aurora activity that will surpass anything we have seen in the previous 20 years—the peak of Solar Cycle 25. This means we are on the verge of a very strong aurora season, with some of the most spectacular northern lights displays for decades!

Due to NYC's intense light pollution you'll have to find the darkest spot possible to see the lights. Places such as a dark park or beach will provide you with the best chance of seeing them. Those in darker, more rural parts of New York have a better chance of catching the spectacle.

The geomagnetic storm that produced the northern lights is expected to continue flaring during the night of May 11-12, if not longer, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center.

In May 2024, all across Florida and the United States, people witnessed a rare sight in the night skies: the northern lights, or aurora borealis.

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

If you are after unbeatable dark skies, a great place to try in the contiguous US would be Voyageurs National Park. DarkSky International even recognized it for its impeccable dark-sky spaces, which enhance your chances of spotting the lights.

The answer, my friends, is a resounding YES, you absolutely can see New York City from space! In fact, it's a bit of a glittering beacon in the vast expanse of darkness. Here's why: City That Never Sleeps, Lights That Never Dim: NYC is famous for its 24/7 energy, and that translates to a whole lot of light pollution.

“The best place in the U.S. to plan a trip to see the northern lights is always Alaska — because they are reliably spectacular that far north — especially Fairbanks,” MacDonald says. Fairbanks is located under the so-called Auroral Oval.