Missed the northern lights in GA Tuesday? You may get another chance soon. When best to watch
According to the Space Weather Prediction Center, a severe geomagnetic storm is making the aurora borelias visible across several U.S. states tonight.
So, if you’ve never seen the northern lights, it might be your chance here soon. Here’s what else to know:
Will the northern lights be visible in GA?
A level 4 out of 5 geomagnetic storm watch is in place through tonight, making the northern lights shine bright in the sky. But will the light show reach southern states?
“The flare blasted out charged particles headed toward Earth, causing a radiation storm, and could ignite the northern lights as far south as the Southeast,” said Emilee Speck with AccuWeather.
However, the timing of the storm is unpredictable, making it peak either at midday or later in the day. But experts said that if the storm does continue into nightfall, it will “glow over dozens of states.”
How to watch the northern lights
If you are lucky enough to catch the storm, here are some tips from Space.com for viewing:
- Find dark skies: Get far from city lights. National parks, dark-sky reserves, or rural areas work best.
- Look north (or south if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere): Auroras tend to appear near the magnetic poles.
- Be patient and dress warm: It can take hours to catch a glimpse of the northern lights, but believe me, the show is more than worth the wait.
- Use a camera: Faint auroras can be hard to spot with the naked eye, but a camera with a long exposure, especially a modern smartphone, can reveal subtle hints of color that might otherwise go unnoticed. Try scanning the sky with your camera to see if anything pops.
Do you have more questions? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
This story was originally published November 12, 2025 at 10:30 AM.
