Sky watchers have something extra to celebrate this Thursday: a solar storm is expected to hit Earth, bringing stunning northern lights to the Northern Hemisphere.

This spectacular display, known as the aurora borealis, is anticipated to be visible on Thanksgiving and Black Friday in various northern regions of the United States, as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The beautiful array of green and red colors is the result of a coronal mass ejection speeding towards Earth, prompting NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center to issue a geomagnetic storm alert for Thursday and Friday.

While the solar storm might have a slight impact on satellites, GPS, and power grids, it also offers a delightful bonus for Thanksgiving festivities after the football games and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade have concluded. The intense solar activity is set to enhance the visibility of the northern lights across a broader area of the Northern Hemisphere than usual.

Here’s what you need to know about the northern lights and how to catch a glimpse of them this Thanksgiving night in the US.

NOAA Issues Geomagnetic Storm Watch for Thanksgiving Week

NOAA has been monitoring a coronal mass ejection that erupted from the sun on Sunday and is expected to reach Earth later this week.

Forecasters assess geomagnetic storms on a five-level scale, triggered when coronal mass ejections send solar particles and electromagnetic radiation Earth’s way. The upcoming storm is relatively mild, rated at a minor G1 on Thursday and a moderate G2 on Friday.

Though this storm isn’t as powerful as the G4-level event of October 10, it is still expected to reveal the auroras throughout the Northern Hemisphere.

Where Will the Auroras Be Visible?

The best view of the auroras is generally found near the magnetic poles in the Northern and Southern hemispheres, notably in regions across Europe, Asia, and North America. In the U.S., Alaska is renowned for having the best chances to see the northern lights.

However, the solar storm on Thursday is expected to extend the visibility of the auroras beyond the poles. The geomagnetic conditions, with a Kp index of 5, suggest the lights will appear even brighter, according to NOAA.

“If you find yourself in an ideal location, the auroras can be truly mesmerizing,” says the agency.

In the U.S., the northern lights may become visible in several northern and upper Midwest states ranging from New York to Idaho, as indicated by the Space Weather Prediction Center’s experimental Aurora view line. Local weather and light pollution will influence visibility as well.

Additionally, the northern lights could be seen low on the horizon in various cities, as tracked by the University of Alaska at Fairbanks Geophysical Institute. Cities where auroras might be visible include:

• Boise, Idaho
• Cheyenne, Wyoming
• Lincoln, Nebraska
• Indianapolis
• Annapolis, Maryland

When Is the Best Time to See the Northern Lights?

Solar storms release particles from the sun that interact with Earth’s magnetic field, creating beautiful auroras as they collide with atmospheric gas molecules. The upcoming months may provide many opportunities for stunning auroras if you’re looking at the right moment.

Despite the prime conditions for aurora sightings, forecasters often struggle to predict exactly when and where the phenomenon will occur. Even the most reliable forecasts can usually be made only a few days or just hours ahead.

As a general guideline, if the weather is clear, the best time to spot auroras is typically an hour or two after midnight, according to NOAA. If you suspect the northern lights could be visible in your area, it’s advisable to venture away from city lights to experience them in the darkest locations.

NOAA also offers an aurora dashboard to assist skywatchers in tracking these fascinating lights.

What Causes the Northern Lights?

Auroras are natural light events that can be seen prominently in regions close to the poles in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres.

This stunning phenomenon occurs when charged particles from outer space enter the Earth’s atmosphere and collide with gases like oxygen and nitrogen. These collisions energize the atmospheric particles, which then release energy as light when they revert to their standard state, as explained by experts at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks.

The formation of auroras is influenced by Earth’s magnetic field, which guides the particles towards the poles. This interplay creates breathtaking displays of rays and spirals that have mesmerized people for centuries. The colors produced, ranging from green to red, blue, or even pink, are determined by the altitude of the collisions and the atmospheric composition and density at that time.

Why northern lights activity is increasing

With the sun currently experiencing the peak of its 11-year cycle, increased solar activity has led to more frequent “space weather” conditions that are favorable for the occurrence of northern lights.

Sunspots, which are areas of concentrated magnetic activity on the solar surface, are becoming more common and can send out intense bursts of radiation, resulting in solar flares that travel toward Earth at light speed, as noted by NOAA. Some solar flares may be accompanied by coronal mass ejections—large clouds of plasma and charged particles ejected from the sun’s outer layer, known as the corona.

When these ejections collide with Earth’s magnetosphere, the protective shield against severe space weather, they can create geomagnetic storms that enhance auroral displays even in areas where they are typically not visible.

Additionally, forecasts from NASA predict that the solar maximum will persist until 2025, offering plenty of chances for aurora enthusiasts to witness the northern lights.