22 States Under Strong Aurora Alert After Early Geomagnetic Storm
The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, may be seen across 22 northern U.S. states this week, stretching from the lower Midwest to Oregon. This follows an early arrival of a strong geomagnetic storm, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center.
Unusually Strong Geomagnetic Storm
NOAA forecasted a G3-class geomagnetic storm after dark on Thursday, November 6, 2025. This storm is caused by a coronal mass ejection (CME) hitting Earth, producing a significant display of the aurora borealis.
“A fair measure of confidence” exists in the storm’s predicted intensity, resulting from the solar eruption’s impact.
Solar Activity Context
Although the solar maximum—the peak of the Sun’s 11-year cycle—is recently past, strong solar flares continue. On November 4, 2025, intense X-class flares (X1.1 and X1.8) and slightly weaker M-class flares (M3.5 and M7.4) erupted, sending clouds of charged particles that triggered the geomagnetic storm.
Impact on Northern Lights
- The charged particles from the coronal mass ejections cause magnetic disturbances on Earth.
- These disturbances generate vivid aurora displays visible at lower latitudes than usual.
Forecast Timing
The G3 geomagnetic storm was expected to begin after dark on Thursday, November 6, and continue into the early hours of Friday, November 7.
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