Sacramento, CA – Residents across Northern California and the Pacific Northwest will have a rare opportunity to witness the Northern Lights tonight and Friday, as a powerful G4 geomagnetic storm is expected to make the aurora visible as far south as Sacramento. The storm will also be seen across the U.S., stretching from the Pacific Northwest to the Mid-South, affecting millions.
The National Weather Service reports that skies in Northern California will be mostly clear tonight, with temperatures dropping to around 55 degrees. Thursday’s daytime temperatures will reach a high of 87 degrees before cooling down for optimal aurora viewing. The best viewing times are from 10 p.m. Thursday to 4 a.m. Friday, with another opportunity Friday night as skies remain clear and temperatures dip into the upper 50s.
The storm, caused by solar winds hitting Earth’s magnetic field, could showcase rare colors, including purple, which indicates the aurora is over 100 km above the Earth and is the rarest color to see. Residents are encouraged to head to rural areas away from city lights for the best viewing conditions.
This powerful event is the most significant of its kind since May 2024, with the Northern Lights continuing to be visible Friday night under clear skies and temperatures around 57 degrees in Sacramento.
