Madison, WI – A wide swath of the northern United States, including states from New York to Idaho, could see the Northern Lights later this week following a geomagnetic storm alert issued by federal space weather authorities.
A G2 (Moderate) Geomagnetic Storm Watch has been posted for Friday, June 14, 2025, as a result of an incoming Coronal Hole High Speed Stream (CH HSS), according to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. The same solar event produced significant aurora activity during its last rotation, increasing the likelihood of similar conditions this week.
According to NOAA, the CH HSS is a fast-moving stream of solar wind emitted from a coronal hole—an area of reduced density in the sun’s outer atmosphere. As the stream reaches Earth, it has the potential to disturb the planet’s magnetic field, creating auroras visible much farther south than usual.
Aurora visibility may stretch across the northern tier of the U.S., from New York and Pennsylvania to Minnesota, Wisconsin, the Dakotas, Montana and into Idaho. Skywatchers in these regions are advised to monitor conditions Friday night through early Saturday for a possible light show.
Those living away from city lights and under clear skies will have the best chance to witness the auroras. NOAA recommends checking its website and aurora forecast tools for the most current updates.
G2-level storms are considered moderate but are strong enough to affect power grid fluctuations and satellite operations in some cases. However, for most people, the primary impact will be an unusual chance to view the Northern Lights in the Lower 48.
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