Baltimore, Maryland – A space weather alert is in effect tonight as a rare G4 (Severe) geomagnetic storm creates the potential for Northern Lights to be visible across parts of Maryland, according to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center.
NOAA’s latest aurora forecast shows the auroral oval expanding unusually far south, placing northern Maryland within reach of possible aurora visibility late tonight. Forecast guidance indicates a Kp index near 7 to 8, a level capable of producing auroras well outside their typical northern range.
The aurora is produced when charged particles from the Sun collide with oxygen and nitrogen high in Earth’s atmosphere, causing glowing green and red light displays. This activity is being driven by a coronal mass ejection currently interacting with Earth’s magnetic field.
For viewers in northern and western Maryland, including areas near Frederick, Carroll County, and the Pennsylvania border, auroras may appear as a faint green or reddish glow low on the northern horizon, especially in darker, rural locations. Visibility within Baltimore and the Washington metro area will likely be limited due to light pollution, though a subtle glow may still be possible under clear skies.
The best chance to see the aurora is expected late tonight through the early morning hours, generally between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., weather and cloud cover permitting. Observers are encouraged to seek dark locations away from city lights, face north, and allow time for eyes to adjust.
Auroras are harmless to people on the ground, though the same geomagnetic storm is prompting monitoring of satellites, GPS systems, and power infrastructure.
Auroral visibility may fluctuate overnight as geomagnetic conditions evolve.
