Blacksburg, VA – Western Virginia residents may catch a rare view of the northern lights tonight, with the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center forecasting a G3–G4 geomagnetic storm capable of pushing aurora visibility as far south as the Mid-Atlantic.
According to the US National Weather Service Blacksburg, skies across southwest Virginia will remain dry and mostly clear through Thursday, with no precipitation and slightly above-normal temperatures. The clear, calm setup overnight could provide ideal viewing conditions for the aurora — though gusty winds, particularly over the Blue Ridge and Appalachian ridges, may add a chill to the evening.
Forecast data shows wind gusts between 25 and 30 mph in higher elevations like Bluefield, Boone, and Lewisburg, easing to 15–20 mph by Thursday night. Temperatures will dip into the 30s and low 40s overnight, before rebounding into the 50s and low 60s Thursday afternoon under continued sunshine.
The best time to view the aurora will be between 9 p.m. and midnight, when skies are clearest and geomagnetic activity peaks. Rural areas away from city lights will offer the best visibility of the northern horizon glow.
