U.S. Residents May See Northern Lights This Weekend, Here’s Where

A recent solar will result in some U.S. residents being able to see the Northern Lights.

The aurora borealis is expected to be visible near the U.S.-Canadian border, Pennsylvania, and as far out as Oregon.

It’s expected to be visible October 3-5.

A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration spokesperson shared, “Solar cycles are an on-average 11-year period whereby the Sun goes from a minimum of activity to a maximum and back to a minimum. This happens because of the magnetic turmoil created when the Sun flips its magnetic poles every 11 years or so.”

The chance exists tonight to see the Northern Lights. There is a strong geomagnetic storm approaching Earth's atmosphere which will allow for this opportunity.
As we have experienced beforehand… sometimes these storms simply do not materialize and generate the several necessary… pic.twitter.com/Jyz92p8Sz4

— James (@DeFaziooooo) October 5, 2024

Back to weather and #Chicago outdoors

Great weekend to grab some binoculars and head into the wild for some bird watching and later, Northern Lights

Fall migration although slowing is still in progress. This morning’s roost roust along the DesPlaines and Dupage rivers quite… pic.twitter.com/8gVTlpsxnO

— WindyCity Weather and News (@WindyCityWxMan) October 5, 2024

Per USA Today:

Another geomagnetic storm means another chance for some lucky Americans to witness the northern lights this week after the second largest solar flare of the current cycle was observed Tuesday.The colorful phenomena known as the aurora borealis is expected to be visible in some areas Thursday night going into the weekend following two observed coronal mass ejections Tuesday, including the massive X7.1 solar flare, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center.

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The center issued geomagnetic storm watches spanning minor, moderate and strong levels, and forecasted the northern lights will be present in the sky.Last week, the center forecasted the aurora would be visible across the northwestern U.S. and some midwestern states as the display of greenish and reddish hues occur more often.

The aurora is expected to be visible in multiple northern U.S. states Oct. 3 through Oct. 5, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center.Sightings are forecasted along the U.S.-Canada border, but also as far south as Oregon to Pennsylvania, according to the center. The best time to view the auroras will be on Friday, Oct. 4 from around midnight local time going into the early hours of Saturday, Oct. 5.

"Massive X-Class solar flare: several states may see northern lights this weekend. As far south as Iowa, Oregon, and Pennsylvania."

Look up into the night sky this weekend!! Don't miss it. It is truly breathtaking ✨️https://t.co/WU09AJdF0X pic.twitter.com/f6RDTcysaN

— HerHotTake (@herhottake) October 5, 2024

Check out what Fox News reported:

After a recent solar flare, residents in some northern U.S. states may be able to see the stunning northern lights this weekend.

On Thursday, the sun emitted the strongest solar flare in seven years with a magnitude of X9.0, FOX Weather reported. An X flare is the most intense, and the number represents its strength. The X9.0 is the strongest flare in Solar Cycle 25, which is uncommon, with a geomagnetic stormwatch issued through Sunday.A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration spokesperson told Fox News Digital via email that the U.S. is in the grips of a solar maximum of Solar Cycle 25.

“Solar cycles are an on-average 11-year period whereby the Sun goes from a minimum of activity to a maximum and back to a minimum. This happens because of the magnetic turmoil created when the Sun flips its magnetic poles every 11 years or so,” said the spokesperson.