Late on Monday, December 8 and into the early hours of Tuesday, December 9, skies across much of North America may burst into color — thanks to a powerful geomagnetic storm that could make the Aurora Borealis visible far beyond its usual northern haunts. According to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (NOAA SWPC), a full-halo coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun is expected to slam into Earth’s magnetic field, triggering a G3 (strong) geomagnetic disturbance.
What’s Happening — and Why It Matters
The Sun recently unleashed a major solar flare (classified M8.1) on December 6, sending a massive CME — a cloud of charged particles — toward Earth. When CMEs collide with Earth’s magnetosphere, they can dramatically disturb the planet’s magnetic field. These disturbances sometimes cause spectacular auroras as high-energy solar particles interact with gases in Earth’s upper atmosphere.
Under the right conditions, this particular storm is rated G3 — “strong.” That means the auroral “oval” (the usual band of nighttime lights around the Arctic Circle) could swell southward, giving a chance to people in states much farther from the poles.
Where to Watch — 22 States & Canada in the Forecast
Forecasters say up to 22 U.S. states could see auroras — provided skies are clear and light pollution is minimal. The states include:
Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
Beyond the U.S., southern Canada is also in the running for a show.
When to Look — and Best Viewing Tips
The solar storm’s impact is expected to arrive late Monday night (Dec 8) and into Tuesday, Dec 9 local time. Most likely window for auroras: roughly between about 10:00 PM and 4:00 AM local time, though exact timing will depend on when the CME hits and how Earth’s magnetic field is oriented.
To maximize your chances of seeing the lights:
Get away from city lights. Find a dark location — rural areas, remote parks, or mountains are ideal. Light pollution will quickly wash out faint aurora glows.
Look toward the northern horizon. Aurora tend to appear in northern skies, so seek a clear, dark north-facing horizon.
Be patient — and check live forecasts. The aurora only show when conditions are just right. Track updates from NOAA SWPC or popular aurora forecast apps for 30-minute predictions and solar wind data (especially the Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field).
Why This Storm is Special
Strong auroras this far south are rare. Normally, the aurora borealis are confined to high-latitude regions (Alaska, northern Canada, Scandinavia). But when the Sun sends a powerful CME and Earth’s magnetic field cooperates, the auroral oval can expand dramatically.
With the Sun currently active — in part of its solar maximum phase — 2025 is seeing increased solar storms and frequent aurora alerts.
Because of this, many parts of the U.S. and Canada may be treated to a rare, colorful sky show — but only if conditions are right.
What Could Limit Visibility
Even with a strong geomagnetic storm, a few factors could spoil the show:
Cloud cover — thick clouds will block the view completely. Several states forecast possible cloudiness tonight, which may dim or hide auroras entirely.
Light pollution — city lights drastically reduce visibility of auroras.
Magnetic field orientation — even after a CME hits Earth, the direction of the embedded magnetic field (known as Bz) determines how much solar energy enters Earth’s magnetosphere. A northward Bz reduces aurora chances; a sustained southward Bz increases them.
Final Take — Don’t Miss This One
If the skies are clear and you’re in one of the 22 U.S. states or nearby Canada, tonight could be your chance to catch a rare natural light show — one that many will never see in their lifetime. Grab a warm coat, head away from city lights, check aurora forecasts, and keep your eyes on the northern horizon. With a little luck, the sky might just light up in green, red, and purple.
Get your camera, set a long exposure, and prepare to witness an unforgettable display — because tonight, the sky might truly be on fire.