If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing the dazzling dance of the Aurora Borealis (northern lights), mark your calendar for the nights of November 13–14, 2025. Solar experts are buzzing about a powerful geomagnetic storm that might bring the lights farther south than usual — offering a rare show for sky-watchers around the globe.
Why this event is special
In the past few days, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Space Weather Prediction Center and other monitoring agencies have issued storm watches. Multiple strong coronal mass ejections (CMEs) launched from an active sunspot region known as AR 4274 are heading toward Earth.
These CMEs carry clouds of charged particles. When they collide with Earth’s magnetic field, they trigger geomagnetic storms that in turn excite gases in our upper atmosphere — creating the greens, reds and purples of auroras. As one source explains, “auroras glowed across mid-latitudes again last night as a weaker CME arrival brought more geomagnetic storming.”
Forecast models currently anticipate G3-G4 level storm conditions (on NOAA’s G-scale) for the upcoming nights, which means “strong” to “severe” geomagnetic activity.
Where and when you might see them
The best time to look is after local sunset and through the night, ideally in places away from city lights with a clear view of the northern horizon (in the Northern Hemisphere). While predictions vary by location, several reports suggest that auroras could appear at surprisingly low latitudes — as far south as the mid-United States and similar latitudes elsewhere.
For example, a forecast noted that the auroras “may be visible in 17 states (or more)” in the US on the night of November 12–13. Even if you’re outside the usual “aurora zone” (like far-north latitudes), this event offers a chance to glimpse something extraordinary.
What to expect in the sky
If everything aligns — with the storm strength, your location and the sky conditions — you could witness ribbons of light in vivid greens, purples and reds sweeping across the sky. The red hues often appear at higher altitudes, while greens tend to dominate in lower auroral displays. Because the storm is powerful, the auroras may evolve faster, move across more of the sky, and last for several hours.
Keep in mind: cloudy skies, bright moonlight or urban lighting can all reduce visibility. So choose a dark spot, check the horizon, and keep your eyes peeled.
Should you be concerned?
While such geomagnetic storms are impressive, they can also bring minor tech disruptions: fluctuations in power grids, radio-signal degradation, GPS interference or satellite drag.
For most of us, though, it’s simply an amazing natural light show — not something to worry over.
Tips for viewing and capturing the moment
Head outdoors after sunset and stay out for at least 30–60 minutes; auroras often show up when you least expect them.
Find a dark location, away from city lights, with an unobstructed view to the north.
Use a camera or smartphone on night mode or low-light setting: long exposures help capture the subtle colours.
Check local sky-weather conditions — cloud cover, moon phase and horizon clarity all matter.
Be patient: even during strong storms, the aurora can come in bursts, fade, move, then return.
So whether you’re at a high latitude or somewhere further south, now is a good time to watch the skies. With the storm watch in effect and predictions pointing toward increased activity on November 13–14, this could be one for the memory books. Keep an eye upward and if you spot those shimmering lights, you’ll know why!