NYC Aurora Borealis 2024 Tonight: What You Should Know

NEW YORK CITY – Did you see the Northern Lights in New York last night?

NORTHERN LIGHTS TONIGHT NYC: What time should you check?

Residents of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut were treated to a heavenly display as the Northern Lights illuminated the city skyline.

Were the Northern Lights visible last night?

A powerful geomagnetic storm from the sun triggered the typically elusive event, much to the delight of stargazers across the tri-state area.

Reports of colorful auroras streamed from Boston to New York City, Washington, DC and even as far south as the Southeast.

NYC Aurora Borealis 2024: Geomagnetic Storm

NOAA's Storm Prediction Center said there was a “severe” Level 4 geomagnetic storm Thursday evening.

If you missed the show, keep your eyes peeled Friday night as there's a chance for another heavenly fireworks display.

Northern lights forecast (NOAA)

The solar storm is expected to last until Friday after impacts from a coronal mass ejection hit Earth on Thursday.

What time will the Northern Lights be visible tonight?

Aurora Borealis can often be observed somewhere on Earth just after sunset or just before sunrise. The northern lights are not visible during the day.

Why should we see the Northern Lights?

The phenomenon is caused by disturbances in the Earth's magnetosphere, in this case triggered by a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun.

When a CME—a massive burst of solar wind and magnetic fields—is thrown toward Earth, it interacts with our planet's magnetic field. These charged solar particles collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere, thereby emitting light. The colors of the aurora vary depending on the type of gas involved – oxygen produces greens and reds, while nitrogen contributes purples and blues.

CMEs can cause radio and satellite interference and, in some cases, affect the power grid.

Northern Lights hurricanes

The SWPC is in contact with FEMA and state agencies involved in disaster response efforts as these storms could impact ongoing work throughout the Southeast from Hurricanes Milton and Helene.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 11: The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis are visible over the New York skyline on October 11, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)

Geomagnetic storms and solar radiation can affect the power grid, as can GPS and radio outages and impacts on satellites.

“This storm could impact ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricanes Helene and Milton in several ways,” the SPWC said.

NOAA Northern Lights Forecast

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