The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a strong geomagnetic storm watch for Monday evening, December 8, after the Sun released a major burst of energy. This alert means that the Earth could experience a G3-level geomagnetic storm, which is considered strong. These storms can affect the planet’s magnetic field, making the northern lights visible much farther south than usual.
What NOAA Has Announced
The warning comes after the Sun produced an M8.1 solar flare on Saturday afternoon. Solar flares are huge explosions on the surface of the Sun, and this one was powerful enough to launch a large amount of charged particles into space. This burst of solar material, known as a coronal mass ejection (CME), is expected to reach Earth on Monday evening.
NOAA explains that a “full-halo CME” was released during the flare. A full-halo CME is one that appears to surround the Sun entirely when viewed from Earth, which is usually a sign that it is heading straight toward our planet. According to NOAA scientists, this incoming CME could cause strong magnetic disturbances in Earth’s atmosphere. These disturbances can lead to bright and colorful auroras and may even interfere with radio signals and power systems in some cases.
This latest flare came from the same sunspot region that previously caused a severe G4 geomagnetic storm in November. In a short two-hour window, the same region fired off two separate flares—an M1.1 and the larger M8.1 flare. Both of these events produced CMEs, with the M8.1 being more impressive and carrying enough energy to be directed toward Earth.
When the Storm Is Expected to Hit Earth
The expected arrival time for the CME is early to midday on December 9 in UTC, which NOAA says translates to Monday night in North America. NOAA notes that the predicted timing around 5 UTC can vary by up to seven hours because CMEs change speed as they move through space and interact with solar wind conditions.
NOAA reports that this storm comes just days after another strong geomagnetic disturbance affected Earth, caused by fast solar wind from a coronal hole and a small impact from a previous CME linked to an X1.9 solar flare. With several sunspots facing Earth, NOAA says increased solar activity is not unusual.
Northern lights (aurora borealis): What they are and how to see them
Geomagnetic storms occur when charged particles from the Sun interact with Earth’s magnetic field, and stronger G3 events can push auroras much farther south than usual. NOAA’s visibility map shows that Monday night may give parts of the northern United States a chance to see the aurora if skies are clear, with the highest chances near Canada but possible visibility deeper into the country.
For many skywatchers, auroras are a rare treat outside the Arctic regions, and strong CMEs can allow more people to experience the colorful display.
How People Can View and Photograph the Northern Lights
If the northern lights move far enough south, Monday night may offer good conditions for photography, according to NOAA. Even when auroras appear bright, cameras often capture more detail than the human eye, especially in darker places with little light pollution.
NOAA notes that simple techniques can help photographers. Longer exposure times allow the camera to collect more light and reveal the aurora’s colors and shapes. Setting the ISO between 1600 and 3200 increases sensitivity, and using a tripod keeps the camera steady during long exposures. Many smartphones now offer night-mode features or manual settings that work well in low-light conditions.
People in cities may need to travel to darker areas because light from buildings, traffic, and street lamps can hide faint auroras. Open spaces such as parks, fields, or rural roads provide a clearer view of the night sky.
While some people watch for the green and purple waves overhead, others follow NOAA updates, since solar activity can change quickly. A storm that looks weak earlier in the day may strengthen by nightfall depending on how solar particles interact with Earth’s magnetic field.
Strong geomagnetic storms can cause small and temporary changes in GPS or radio systems. Power companies and communication networks often track NOAA alerts closely to stay prepared when space weather becomes active.
Sun’s surprise sends dazzling northern lights across America — see if you’re in the zone
Monday evening’s storm watch highlights how active the Sun has been in recent months. With multiple sunspots facing Earth and several flares released in a short period, the Sun is clearly in a lively phase of its cycle. For skywatchers and photographers, this means more chances to enjoy rare aurora events. For scientists, it offers another moment to observe how Earth responds when the Sun sends bursts of energy toward our planet.
If the storm arrives as expected, many areas in the northern United States could be treated to a colorful show in the sky. Whether the aurora appears as faint streaks or bright dancing waves will depend on the strength of the storm and how clear the skies are on Monday night.
