If you step outside tonight and look up, you might just see the sky glow with magical colors. The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, could make a rare appearance across parts of the northern United States — and yes, even as far south as Vermont.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm watch for October 16, following a series of large bursts of energy from the sun known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These powerful solar eruptions send waves of charged particles into space, and when they reach Earth’s atmosphere, they create the shimmering curtains of green, pink, and purple light we call the Northern Lights.
According to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, the strongest effects are expected late Thursday night into early Friday morning, meaning night owls and sky watchers have their best chance to witness this natural wonder between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
The event could make the Aurora visible in places where it’s rarely seen — stretching beyond the usual northern edges of Alaska and Canada into Michigan, Maine, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Vermont.
NOAA confirms: Northern lights may dance over 15 states in stunning solar storm display
Where and When You Might See the Northern Lights
NOAA’s map shows that people in several northern states stand the best chance of seeing the colorful glow tonight. Those states include:
-
Washington
-
Idaho
-
Montana
-
North Dakota
-
South Dakota
-
Minnesota
-
Wisconsin
-
Michigan
-
Alaska
But that’s not all — there’s a view line stretching farther south, where there’s still a chance of catching the show if the skies stay dark and clear. This includes Wyoming, Iowa, New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire.
Even if you’re in one of these areas, however, seeing the lights isn’t guaranteed. The brightness and visibility depend on how strong the storm is and whether clouds or city lights block your view.
Once-in-a-Decade Alert: Rare Northern Lights to Stun the U.S. for 3 Nights Straight
For those in Vermont, the skies are expected to stay mostly clear tonight, according to AccuWeather, which means nature may be putting on a show just for you. The only challenge might be the cold — a frost advisory is also in effect — so dress warmly if you plan to step outside.
The best time to watch, NOAA experts say, is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., when the auroras are usually at their peak. If the solar storm continues to be strong, the colors could last until just before dawn.
How to Get the Best View of the Northern Lights
To see the Northern Lights, one thing matters most — dark skies. The less artificial light around you, the brighter and more colorful the aurora will appear.
Experts recommend heading away from cities and streetlights. Find an open field, hilltop, or coastline where the sky is wide and the lights from buildings or roads won’t interfere. Bring a blanket, warm clothes, and maybe even a camera if you want to capture the glow.
A technical instructor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) once said that getting away from urban lighting gives the best chance to see celestial events like these. Parks, conservation areas, or quiet coastlines are ideal viewing spots, especially in regions that keep lights off at night.
If you’re lucky enough to see the aurora, you might notice ribbons of green light stretching across the sky. Sometimes they shift into hints of pink or violet, depending on how high in the atmosphere the charged solar particles collide with gases like oxygen and nitrogen.
And while you’re waiting for the Northern Lights to appear, take a moment to look at the stars. The same dark skies that make the aurora visible also offer a stunning view of constellations and even the Milky Way.
What’s Happening Above Our Heads
The reason this is happening now goes back to our sun, which has been especially active this week. When it ejects large clouds of gas and magnetic energy — the CMEs — those particles race toward Earth. When they reach our planet’s magnetic field, they create geomagnetic storms.
U.S. Space Force orders Lockheed Martin satellites to improve missile detection capabilities
Tonight’s event is considered a G2 storm, which is “moderate” on NOAA’s five-point scale. It’s strong enough to move the auroral oval — the ring-shaped area where the Northern Lights are usually visible — farther south than usual.
That means people who normally never get to see this phenomenon might get a rare chance to experience it. For many across the northern U.S., this could be a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
So if you live in Vermont or nearby states, bundle up, step outside, and look to the north between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. The night might just surprise you with one of nature’s most breathtaking light shows — a swirl of colors painting the midnight sky.
