Cloud cover forecast for the night of March 22, 2025.
The Northern Lights may be staging a encore performance on Saturday night after a minor display on Friday, with this show promising to be longer and brighter.
A solar flare burst from the sun on Friday, racing through space and expected to arrive at Earth on Saturday night, likely triggering a geomagnetic storm upon its arrival.
WHAT IS A GEOMAGNETIC STORM?
NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a Level 3 Geomagnetic Storm Watch on their 5-point scale, indicating a potentially “strong” storm.
“Watches at this level are infrequent, but not uncommon,” noted SWPC. Although the solar storm isn’t expected to reach the impressive levels of level 4 and 5 storms seen last spring, it is still predicted to put on a decent display across many northern states, reaching as far south as Oregon, Iowa, and inland New England.
The timing aligns well for nighttime visibility across much of the U.S., with peak aurora conditions anticipated between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. ET (7-10 p.m. PT).
WHAT ARE THE 5 CATEGORIES THAT MEASURE GEOMAGNETIC STORMS?
Increased solar activity had already brought a minor to moderate display on Friday night, with aurora photos sent to FOX Weather from Upstate New York and the northern Puget Sound area near Seattle.
Northern Lights observed over Berkshire, New York on March 21, 2025. (Brian Donegan / FOX Weather)
Saturday night’s display is expected to be better if the solar and weather forecasts hold true.
Cloud cover is anticipated over much of the north on Saturday night, with Seattle, Minneapolis, and northern Maine likely to be mostly overcast. The likelihood is about 50-50 in Chicago and the Great Lakes region, extending over the northern Rockies.
Geomagnetic storms pose no health risks to humans; however, stronger storms may lead to communication disruptions such as radio blackouts and could impact satellite operations. Level 3 storms are common enough that they typically pass without any notable issues.
For those wanting to catch a glimpse of the aurora, the best viewing tip is to find a dark location away from city lights with a clear view of the northern sky. During weak to moderate storms, the colorful lights may be challenging to see with the naked eye or might appear faint or washed out, but using a camera with long exposure can bring out the colors beautifully.
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