Topline
Did you see the Northern Lights last night? Skywatchers across North America, as far south as Texas, Alabama, Georgia and north Florida, were treated to red and green auroras overnight on Tuesday, Nov. 11 — and it could happen again on Wednesday evening, Nov. 12.
Key Facts
Some of the strongest and most widespread displays of auroras since Oct. 10, 2024, occurred overnight on Tuesday, Nov. 11, into Wednesday, Nov. 12, according to NOAA, caused by one of the most powerful G4-rated geomagnetic storms of the current solar cycle.
The potent geomagnetic storm occurred after two particularly fast-moving coronal mass ejections — clouds of charged particles from the sun — erupted from the sun on Sunday, Nov. 9, and Monday, Nov. 10, in the wake of an X1.7 and X1.2-class solar flares. It left space weather scientists on high alert this week.
Another CME left the sun after an X5.1-rated solar flare — the strongest since October 2024 — erupted on Tuesday, Nov. 11, making another G4-rated geomagnetic storm likely during Wednesday, Nov. 12.
Will There Be Northern Lights Again Tonight?
The latest NOAA forecast includes a Kp index of up to 8 on a scale of 0-9 for Wednesday, Nov. 12, with G4 conditions expected between 15:00-21:00 UTC (10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. EST). However, with predictions regarding timing unreliable — and with G3 conditions forecast for many hours after — it’s likely that auroras will be seen as soon as it gets dark across North America. A useful way to see what may soon become visible in North America is to check aurora webcams around the world.
