One of the most intense solar eruptions of the year could dazzle skywatchers across the United States tonight—possibly lighting up the sky as far south as Alabama.
NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a warning for a “severe” geomagnetic storm, rated level 4 out of 5, expected to arrive anytime between late Sunday morning and evening (Eastern Time). The exact arrival time will be refined as scientists analyze more data about the storm’s speed and trajectory.
“This one has some potential,” said Rob Steenburgh, a space weather scientist at NOAA. “We have pretty moderate confidence it will result in a severe storm.”
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If the storm maintains its strength, auroras could be visible deep into the southern U.S., a rare treat typically reserved for northern states. While the naked eye might not catch every detail, cameras—even smartphone lenses—could capture the vibrant display of colors in the night sky.
For comparison, storms ranked 3 out of 5 usually only push auroras as far south as Oregon and Illinois. This time, it’s different.
Sunday night brings good news for much of the East Coast: clear skies from North Dakota to Pennsylvania could make for ideal viewing. However, cloud cover may block views in New England and much of the Mountain West.
The solar storm was triggered by a massive eruption from the sun’s center Friday evening, launching a surge of solar plasma and energetic particles toward Earth. Traveling at nearly 1,000 kilometers per second, this wave could reach Earth by Sunday.
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Tamitha Skov, known online as the “Space Weather Woman,” noted that a slower storm ahead might cause delays, potentially pushing the aurora display into Monday. But the potential remains strong for one of the most widespread aurora sightings in months.
The auroras themselves are the result of charged solar particles smashing into Earth’s magnetic field and upper atmosphere, energizing nitrogen and oxygen molecules. The effect? Beautiful glowing skies—green, purple, and red depending on location.
- High latitudes (e.g. Canada): Expect dancing green and purple lights.
- Lower latitudes (e.g. Virginia, Alabama): More rare red auroras may appear.
This could become the most spectacular aurora event since October 2024, when a similar level 4 storm lit up skies across the U.S., Europe, and even parts of Australia. Back in May 2024, a record-breaking solar storm—the strongest in two decades—made auroras visible in all 50 U.S. states, even as far south as the Bahamas.
But while these light shows are awe-inspiring, they can come with consequences. Severe solar storms have caused power grid fluctuations, satellite disruptions, GPS errors, and even airline route changes. In the past, companies like Amazon and Starlink have moved satellites into safe mode during such storms.
This recent burst of solar activity isn’t surprising. The sun is currently at its solar maximum, the most active point in its 11-year cycle, which NASA confirmed in October 2024. That means more storms like this may be on the way before the sun’s activity begins to wane.
For now, keep your eyes (and phone cameras) on the skies—tonight could be one of the best chances in years to witness the magic of the northern lights far from the poles.