A significant solar storm, originating from a coronal mass ejection (CME) linked to sunspot AR 4199's eruption on August 30, 2025, is expected to bring the aurora borealis to an unprecedented 18 U.S. states. The event is anticipated to impact Earth between late September 1 and early September 2, 2025 (UTC).
NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) forecasts that this celestial phenomenon will likely trigger geomagnetic storms of G2 (moderate) to G3 (strong) intensity, with a possibility of escalating to G4 (severe) levels. This increased geomagnetic activity is predicted to expand the auroral oval considerably, allowing the northern lights to be visible much farther south than their typical range.
States that may have the opportunity to witness the aurora include Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The prime viewing window is expected to be between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. EDT on September 2, 2025.
To maximize the chances of observing the aurora, experts advise seeking locations with clear, dark skies, far from urban light pollution. While the early morning hours of September 2 are predicted for the best visibility, local atmospheric conditions and cloud cover will play a crucial role in the actual viewing experience.
This solar event is occurring as the Sun approaches its peak activity in the current solar cycle, which often results in more frequent and intense geomagnetic events. While displays reaching as far south as these predicted states are noteworthy, they are a characteristic of such active solar periods.