The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a rare G4-level geomagnetic storm alert, forecasting a stunning Northern Lights display visible across much of the United States tonight (Nov. 11–12).
In a bulletin from its Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), NOAA confirmed that “geomagnetic activity may intensify to G3–G4 levels overnight,” following multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the Sun in recent days.
Two CMEs launched on November 9 and 10 are expected to hit Earth late Monday, with a third—linked to an X5.1-class solar flare, the largest recorded in 2025—anticipated to arrive around 7 a.m. EST (1200 GMT) on Tuesday.
The agency subsequently upgraded its storm watch to a G4 alert, indicating the potential for widespread auroral visibility and minor disruptions to satellites, GPS, and power grids.
States Most Likely to See the Northern Lights Tonight
According to NOAA’s latest aurora forecast map (as of November 11), the aurora oval is expected to stretch across or brush over 21 US states.
Aurora visibility is most likely in: Alaska, North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, South Dakota, Idaho, Vermont, Washington, New Hampshire, Wyoming, New York, Iowa, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana.
The SWPC noted that “auroral visibility will depend on local conditions including cloud cover and light pollution,” with the best viewing possible under clear, dark skies and minimal moonlight.
Previous events of similar strength have allowed auroras to be visible as far south as Kansas and northern Missouri, according to NOAA archives and SpaceWeather.com.
Best Viewing Times for the Aurora Borealis
NOAA’s three-day geomagnetic forecast indicates activity will surge after sunset on November 11.
- 4 p.m.–10 p.m. EST (2100–0300 GMT): Minor G1–G2 activity
- 10 p.m.–1 a.m. EST (0300–0600 GMT): Strong G3–G4 storm levels expected
- Peak visibility: Around midnight local time in northern states, and 11 p.m. in the Midwest and Northeast
The U.K. Met Office corroborated the forecast, noting that “geomagnetic conditions remain highly elevated, with strong auroral visibility expected across northern latitudes into early Tuesday.”
Skywatchers are advised to face north, get away from city lights, and allow 30 minutes for eyes to adjust for optimal viewing.
Why This Northern Lights Event Is Rare and Powerful
Auroras occur when charged solar particles collide with Earth’s magnetic field, energizing atmospheric gases and releasing light.
NOAA data indicate that solar activity in 2025 has reached one of the highest levels of the 11-year solar cycle, with the X5.1-class solar flare from active region AR3542 propelling billions of tons of plasma at speeds exceeding 1,800 km/s, as recorded by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory.
While the event promises breathtaking skies, it also carries potential for temporary disruptions to power and communications systems. NOAA warned that G4 storm conditions could cause voltage irregularities at high latitudes and satellite anomalies, though such effects are expected to be brief and manageable.
NOAA reassured that “the public is not at risk”, emphasizing that these storms are part of normal solar activity during a heightened cycle phase.
Prepare for a Dazzling Sky Show
If weather conditions cooperate, millions across the US could witness the Northern Lights dancing overhead in brilliant shades of green, red, and purple.
This rare G4-level event may be the most widespread aurora sighting of 2025, offering stargazers from New England to the Great Plains an unforgettable night sky experience.
