Minor to moderate geomagnetic storms are expected on Thanksgiving and Black Friday in the U.S. due to a solar storm that occurred earlier in the week. This could lead to the northern lights being visible in states like Washington, Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine. Other states such as Idaho, Wyoming, New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire also have a chance of seeing the aurora borealis. The intensity and duration of the auroras will depend on the strength of the solar storms, which could reach G1 or G2 conditions.
Viewers interested in seeing the northern lights can track the latest activity and forecasts on the NOAA’s Aurora Dashboard, which provides information on where and when the auroras will be visible. Clear conditions are best for viewing, so areas with cloudiness may have limited visibility. Unlike previous solar storms that caused disruptions in communication systems, this event is not expected to have a major impact unless the storms are stronger than predicted. Solar storms occur when coronal mass ejections from the sun send plasma into space, interacting with Earth’s magnetic field to create the colorful lights in the sky.
The sun is currently in a cycle of increased activity, leading to more frequent sightings of the northern lights. This activity is expected to peak in July next year. Overall, the northern lights during Thanksgiving offer a unique opportunity for people in certain states to witness this natural phenomenon.
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