Boston, MA – Residents across New England could witness a rare light show Monday night as a G3 (Strong) Geomagnetic Storm Watch takes effect, according to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center.
A coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun, associated with an M8.1-class flare on December 6, is expected to reach Earth early to midday Monday, December 9, creating elevated geomagnetic activity and possibly extending the Northern Lights far south into the region.
According to NOAA, auroras could become visible across northern and central New England, including Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and parts of Massachusetts and Connecticut, especially in darker rural areas under clear skies.
Experts say G3-level storms may cause minor power or communication disruptions, but for most residents, the event will be a visual spectacle. The aurora borealis may appear as soft curtains of green, pink, or purple light across the horizon between late Monday night and early Tuesday morning.
NOAA advises skywatchers to check the Space Weather Prediction Center’s official aurora dashboard for live updates. For best visibility, move away from city lights and face north after dark.
