A breathtaking natural event is unfolding in the night sky — the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are expected to glow over 24 U.S. states from November 6 to November 7, 2025. The magical display is thanks to a powerful G3-level geomagnetic storm, one of the strongest of the year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
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This rare phenomenon happens when charged particles from the sun collide with the Earth’s atmosphere, creating glowing lights that shimmer in shades of green, pink, purple, and sometimes red. These lights usually appear near the North Pole, but tonight, the storm is strong enough to push them much farther south than usual.
The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center says the aurora could be visible in several U.S. states — some of which rarely experience this event. Sky watchers across the country are getting their cameras ready, hoping to witness this once-in-a-lifetime display.
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24 States Set to See the Aurora Borealis
According to NOAA’s list, the Northern Lights could be visible across a wide stretch of the United States, reaching all the way down into parts of the Midwest and Northeast. The states include Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
While New Jersey isn’t officially on the list, the auroral boundary — or the southernmost edge where the Northern Lights might appear — stretches into southern New York and northern Pennsylvania. This means some parts of North Jersey might be lucky enough to catch a faint glimpse, depending on weather and light conditions.
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Experts explain that the Northern Lights don’t always appear directly overhead. In fact, they can be seen up to 1,000 kilometers (about 620 miles) away when the aurora is bright enough. That’s why even states that are just outside the visibility line could still have a chance.
The best viewing time is expected to be around 1 a.m., when the sky is darkest and city lights are minimal. To get the best view, sky watchers are advised to find a dark, open area away from streetlights — such as parks, hills, or countryside spots.
Will North Jersey Get a Peek at the Lights?
That’s the big question many are asking tonight. While NOAA’s official map does not include New Jersey, the proximity of the auroral line has given hope to sky watchers in North Jersey, especially those living near the borders of New York and Pennsylvania who are eager to spot the Northern Lights.
In previous strong geomagnetic storms, faint streaks of the Northern Lights were visible as far south as New Jersey and even Maryland, especially in areas with little light pollution. During a similar event in October 2024, many New Jersey residents flooded social media with photos of the Northern Lights glowing faintly above their neighborhoods.
This time, conditions are slightly similar — a strong solar eruption has sent waves of solar plasma and magnetic energy toward Earth, creating what scientists call a coronal mass ejection (CME). When this energy interacts with Earth’s magnetic field, it energizes the particles in the atmosphere, making them glow.
However, whether the lights will actually be visible in North Jersey depends on a few key factors:
- Cloud cover: If the sky is cloudy, the lights will be blocked from view.
- Light pollution: Bright city lights can drown out the faint colors of the aurora.
- Camera sensitivity: Sometimes, the lights are too dim for the naked eye but show up beautifully through a smartphone or camera lens.
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Some experienced sky watchers recommend turning your camera to night mode or using a long exposure setting to capture what the eyes might miss. “Even if you don’t see bright colors overhead, your camera may reveal them,” as many enthusiasts often point out.
Those hoping to spot the lights tonight are advised to step outside around midnight to 2 a.m., face the northern horizon, and give their eyes time to adjust to the darkness. Even a faint glow could mean the Northern Lights are active above the atmosphere.
This event is especially exciting for those who rarely get to witness such a spectacle without traveling far north. The G3 solar storm creating this display is one of the strongest of 2025, and it shows just how dynamic and beautiful space weather can be.
