Boston, MA – Skywatchers across New England may have a rare opportunity to spot the Northern Lights late Thursday night into early Friday, January 8–9, as increased solar activity pushes auroras farther south than usual.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a G1-level geomagnetic storm is expected to peak overnight. The storm is being driven by enhanced solar wind associated with a coronal mass ejection (CME) and a co-rotating interaction region (CIR)—solar disturbances that can expand auroral visibility into lower latitudes.
The best chances in New England will be in northern and rural areas with minimal light pollution. In Maine, strong viewing potential exists in Aroostook County, including Presque Isle, Caribou, and Fort Kent. In New Hampshire and Vermont, locations such as Pittsburg, Colebrook, the White Mountains, Newport, Island Pond, and the Northeast Kingdom offer darker skies and open northern views.
In Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, auroras are expected to be faint and low on the northern horizon, but not impossible. Rural areas of western Massachusetts, including the Berkshires, as well as quieter inland areas of northwestern Connecticut, may offer the best chance. Coastal light pollution will make viewing more difficult near major metro areas.
Across the region, cloud cover is the biggest obstacle. Even strong geomagnetic storms cannot be seen through clouds, making clear skies essential. Experienced aurora watchers recommend tracking both local weather forecasts and NOAA space weather alerts leading up to the overnight peak.
For many viewers this far south, the aurora may appear as a dim arc or pale glow rather than vivid colors. Cameras and smartphones using Night Mode or long-exposure settings often reveal greens and purples not easily visible to the naked eye.
If conditions align, this could mark New England’s first aurora-viewing opportunity of 2026.
