Sioux City, Iowa – A rare nighttime sky event could unfold across northern Iowa within hours as a solar storm pushes the northern lights farther south late Sunday.
According to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, a G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm will strengthen between 11 p.m. Sunday and 2 a.m. Monday, allowing aurora visibility to dip into parts of the central Plains. The event is driven by lingering solar eruption energy combined with a fast-moving solar wind stream.
The best chance to see the aurora will be across northern Iowa, including Sioux City, Mason City, and areas near the Minnesota border. Visibility drops farther south, but faint green or pink light bands may still appear low on the northern horizon under clear skies.
Drivers along I-29 and US-20 may notice a subtle glow in the sky overnight, though no travel impacts are expected. For the best viewing conditions, residents should head to dark, open areas away from city lights and allow time for their eyes to adjust.
Cloud cover could limit visibility at times, but clearer breaks may develop overnight. Elevated geomagnetic activity may continue into early Monday, with additional updates possible if storm intensity increases.
