Portland, Maine – A rare G4 (Severe) geomagnetic storm is creating an unusually strong aurora setup, with Northern Lights potentially visible tonight across much of New England and northern New York, according to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center.
NOAA’s latest aurora forecast shows the auroral oval expanding significantly southward, placing Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and upstate New York within the zone where auroras could be visible on the northern horizon. The forecast indicates a Kp index near 8, a level associated with widespread and vivid auroral displays.
The aurora is being driven by a coronal mass ejection from the Sun that is interacting with Earth’s magnetic field. When charged solar particles collide with gases in the upper atmosphere, they produce the glowing curtains of light known as the Northern Lights.
For viewers in Maine and northern New Hampshire, auroras could appear overhead at times if storm conditions intensify. Farther south, including central Massachusetts and northern New York, the lights may appear as a green or red glow low on the northern horizon.
The best viewing window is expected late tonight through the early morning hours, particularly between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., weather and cloud cover permitting. Observers are encouraged to seek dark locations away from city lights, with a clear view toward the north.
While auroras are the most visible effect for the public, the same geomagnetic storm is also prompting monitoring of power grids and satellite systems. Officials emphasize that auroras themselves are harmless to people on the ground.
Auroral activity may fluctuate overnight as geomagnetic conditions evolve.
