The northern lights may make a rare appearance over Delmarva Thursday night into early Friday, thanks to a strong solar storm heading toward Earth.
NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a G3 (Strong) Geomagnetic Storm Watch for November 6–7 UTC days, which covers Thursday evening into Friday morning here on the East Coast. This watch was issued because a coronal mass ejection (CME) a large burst of solar material and magnetic energy is currently racing toward Earth.
When could we see it?
Forecasters say the CME may arrive as early as Thursday evening or as late as Friday morning. If it hits with the right strength and magnetic alignment, the northern lights could become visible much farther south than usual, including here on the Delmarva Peninsula.
What determines visibility?
Even with a strong watch issued, scientists won’t know the full impact until the CME reaches a spacecraft positioned between the Sun and Earth at Lagrange Point 1, about 1 million miles away. Once that happens, experts will get real-time details on:
- The CME’s actual speed
- The strength of its magnetic field
- The direction that magnetic field is pointing
If the magnetic field is oriented opposite Earth’s, auroras can dramatically intensify.
What we might see
If geomagnetic conditions strengthen after the initial arrival:
- Faint auroras may appear low on the northern horizon
- Colors could include greens, pinks, or purples
- Views improve in dark locations away from city lights
Cloud cover and bright moonlight can limit visibility, so clear skies will be key.
Any risks?
NOAA notes only minor impacts are expected to technology and infrastructure, things like temporary radio or GPS disruptions. For the general public, this is mainly an exciting sky-watching opportunity.
How to watch
- Look north toward the horizon
- Find a dark, open area away from streetlights
- Check NOAA’s aurora forecasts for real-time updates
We’ll continue to follow this solar storm closely and update you if aurora visibility increases for our region. Stay tuned, we could be in for a beautiful show from the Sun!