URGENT UPDATE: The stunning Northern Lights are captivating residents across New Jersey tonight, following a powerful geomagnetic storm that lit up the night sky on November 11. Skywatchers from Cape May County to Metuchen are witnessing rare displays of the Aurora Borealis, with vibrant colors visible even in southern regions normally shielded from such phenomena.
An intense solar eruption, known as a coronal mass ejection (CME), is the cause of this breathtaking spectacle. The flare, originating from sunspot region 4274, was classified as the sixth strongest of the current solar cycle, prompting the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center to issue a G4 (severe) geomagnetic storm watch for today, November 12. This is one of the highest alerts for space weather, indicating a significant disturbance in Earth’s magnetic field.
Residents have reported sightings of stunning purple and green glows stretching across the horizon, with photographers capturing the phenomenon from various locations, including Reeds Beach along the Delaware Bay. The aurora’s reach extends beyond New Jersey, with potential visibility as far south as Alabama and Northern California.
According to the NOAA, the auroras may become visible over much of the northern half of the United States. The agency has also warned that the current geomagnetic storm could disrupt satellites and navigation systems, though the stunning light show is a breathtaking event for millions.
The best viewing times are expected to be around midnight, especially in areas with minimal light pollution. As the solar cycle approaches its peak in 2025-2026, experts anticipate that similar displays will become more frequent, giving skywatchers plenty of opportunities to witness these celestial wonders.
Stay tuned for further updates as conditions continue to develop. For anyone hoping to catch a glimpse, head to dark locations away from city lights and look towards the northern sky tonight!
