Northern lights over Wisconsin, U.S. (Image credit: Ross Harried/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Aurora Alert: Northern Lights Could Shine Again Across the U.S. Tonight!
Did you miss last night’s incredible northern lights display? Don’t worry — nature might be giving us a stunning encore!
According to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, active geomagnetic storm conditions are expected to persist into early June 2, with the potential for vibrant aurora displays across parts of the United States — possibly stretching as far south as New York, Illinois, and Oregon.
What’s Happening in Space?
This dazzling sky show is the result of a powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) that slammed into Earth’s magnetic field on June 1, accompanied by fast-moving solar wind. Traveling at a blazing 1,938 km/s (4.3 million mph), this CME is part of a complex solar eruption made up of multiple overlapping events.
Space weather physicist Dr. Tamitha Skov noted that this storm likely includes more than one "core," meaning we may still see lingering auroras into tonight and possibly into June 2–3.
“There is a chance we will see more than one ‘core’ signature… so this could still give us a waning show 24 hours from now,” said Skov.
And that’s not all! Another smaller CME is expected to arrive late on June 2, potentially sparking a G1 to G2 level geomagnetic storm through June 3.
Where Can You See the Northern Lights?
If conditions hold, tonight’s auroras may be visible as far south as:
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New York
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Idaho
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Illinois
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Oregon
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And possibly more mid-latitude locations in the northern U.S.
📍 Tip: Head away from city lights, look toward the northern horizon, and check real-time aurora trackers or apps to catch the show!
What Are CMEs and How Do They Create Auroras?
Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) are massive bursts of solar plasma and magnetic fields ejected from the sun. When these charged particles hit Earth’s magnetosphere, they disturb the planet's magnetic field, causing geomagnetic storms.
These storms cause ions to collide with atmospheric gases like oxygen and nitrogen, releasing beautiful bursts of colored light — the aurora borealis in the Northern Hemisphere and aurora australis in the Southern Hemisphere.
Geomagnetic storms are ranked from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme), with last night’s reaching the intense G4 level.
How to Prepare and Watch
Don’t Miss the Magic
Whether you're a seasoned aurora chaser or new to skywatching, tonight might be your chance to witness one of nature’s most magical displays. With more solar activity in the forecast, June is starting off with a celestial bang!
Have you ever seen the northern lights? Share your photos or stories in the comments!
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