'Severe' geomagnetic storm brings Northern Lights to Alaska to ring in 2025
Solar storms are rated by NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) on a five-level scale, with five being the most extreme and rarest space weather conditions. Level 4 out of 5, or “severe,” geomagnetic storm conditions were observed Wednesday afternoon.
'Severe' geomagnetic storm underway to ring in 2025 with Northern Lights displays possible across US
If you missed out on the Northern Lights on New Year's Eve, you'll have another chance Wednesday night as a "severe" geomagnetic storm is now underway and could bring Aurora displays as far south as Alabama and Northern California.
JUNEAU, Alaska – The new year started with a dazzling display of Aurora lights, with Alaska seeing most of the action from New Year's Eve into New Year's Day.
Solar storms are rated by NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) on a five-level scale, with five being the most extreme and rarest space weather conditions. Level 4 out of 5, or "severe," geomagnetic storm conditions were observed Wednesday afternoon.
WHY 2024 WAS A BIG DEAL FOR THE SUN
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Image 1 of 5Northern Lights captured over Sitka, Alaska. (Josh Antolin)
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Image 2 of 5Northern Lights over South Anchorage, Alaska. (Earl & Lindsey Banning)
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Image 3 of 5Northern Lights over South Anchorage, Alaska. (Earl & Lindsey Banning)
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Image 4 of 5Northern Lights over Anchorage, Alaska. (@lucidreamyyy/X)
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Image 5 of 5Northern Lights over Anchorage, Alaska (@AishaLynnQ/X)
The SWPC and NASA satellites have been monitoring recent activity of strong solar flares, which originate from sunspot regions.
"A flurry of activity occurred the weekend of 28-29 December as active regions and (Sun) spot groups became unstable," the SWPC said.
The SWPC said the Sun erupted a "litany" of minor to strong flares with associated coronal mass ejections (CME).
One of those CMEs arrived in Earth's atmosphere on Tuesday afternoon. As a result, the SWPC issued a "Severe" Geomagnetic Storm Warning, which was extended through Wednesday night.
WHAT CAUSES THE NORTHERN LIGHTS?
Northern Lights over Anchorage, Alaska.
(@ianpcrosales/X)
Severe geomagnetic storms are not frequent but not uncommon. A severe solar storm can produce Northern Lights much farther south than usual, including parts of the southern U.S.
"Aurora may be seen as low as Alabama and Northern California," the SWPC said in the Geomagnetic Storm Warning.
The possible southern extent of the viewing area for the Northern Lights at Wednesday's geomagnetic storm strength ("severe" or G4) would be somewhere roughly between the purple and orange lines on this map.
(FOX Weather)
On New Year's Eve, the National Weather Service in Juneau, Alaska, posted images of the Northern Lights it captured on social media.
SEE MORE: EXTREME GEOMAGNETIC STORM TRIGGERS JAW-DROPPING AURORAS AROUND THE WORLD
One potential benefit of the timing of the space weather event is that Aurora chasers have a recent new Moon on their side. Monday marked a rare second new Moon of the month, known as a Black Moon. With no moonlight to interfere, skygazers hoping to spot Aurora lights or far-away planets had a better chance.
To spot the Northern Lights, move as far away from city lights as you can. If the Aurora lights aren't visible to the naked eye, check your smartphone camera, and you might be surprised by what you see.
Alaska rings in the new year with fireworks under the Northern Lights
After a bevy of solar activity, the new year started with a dazzling display of Aurora lights, with Alaska seeing most of the action. (Video credit: Ricky Burns/X)