Will we see more northern lights in 2025?
(NEXSTAR) — Last year gave skywatchers multiple stunning sky shows, including the total solar eclipse, the return of the “devil comet,” and multiple nights colored by the northern lights.
If you missed seeing the auroras dancing, have no fear: 2025 may end up being another great year for them.
We're in the midst of Solar Cycle 25, an active, 11-year period for the sun as it flips its poles. All of the activity sparks solar storms, specifically solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which hurl plasma and magnetic material into space.
When that material collides with Earth's magnetic field, particles flow toward the North and South Poles and interact with the gases in our atmosphere. Those interactions create excess energy in the form of light bursts, which become visible to us as the northern lights.
When the cycle activity reaches its peak, known as solar maximum, there are more sunspots that can lead to more of the activity capable of sparking the northern lights on Earth. We've seen some of that recently.
In October, a massive X9 solar flare was detected. X-class flares are the strongest (there are three others: B-class, then C-class, and M-class). It prompted warnings of a G3 strong geomagnetic storm on Earth. Other solar activity brought the chance to see the northern lights around Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve. The latter prompted a "severe geomagnetic storm alert" from NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center on New Year's Day.
The strength of this activity, known as geomagnetic storms, will impact how far south the northern lights can reach in the U.S. Geomagnetic storms are measured on a five-point scale. At G1, the northern lights are typically visible across Alaska, Canada, and the northern portions of the Lower 48. At G5, the northern lights can reach Florida and Texas.
One such storm in May 2024 even brought the aurora as far south as Hawaii.
Mark Miesch, a researcher with NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, previously told Nexstar that solar maximum can last for about two years or even more. As of June 2024, Miesch believed we were already in this timeframe, something he called "space weather's version of hurricane season."
Speaking with NPR, Lisa Upton, lead scientist at Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado, said we are beginning the declining phase of Solar Cycle 25 — but this could last through the end of the decade.
More strong solar storms are still expected throughout 2025 and potentially even into 2026, giving us a greater chance of seeing the northern lights.
While the SWPC and scientists around the world do keep an eye on the sun and try to predict what activity, if any, will ultimately impact us, it can be difficult to tell exactly when CMEs will hit Earth. Once CMEs are within 1 million miles of our planet, it becomes easier, but the lead time drops to about 15 to 45 minutes.
If the current predictions are correct, and solar maximum activity continues for the coming months, at least some Americans will have the chance to see the northern lights again soon. As for whether they’ll reach Florida and Hawaii again, you’ll have to stay tuned.
-
Golden Globes 2025 Red Carpet: See Looks From Emma Stone, Melissa McCarthy and More
Stars made their glittering arrival for the 82nd Golden Globes, an awards season opener of sorts that celebrates the biggest stars in film and television.The New York Times - 1d -
See Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman and More at W Magazine’s Golden Globes Party
Celebrities packed into a suite at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles for the W Magazine party on Saturday night.The New York Times - 1d -
Who won Golden Globes for 2025? See the full winners list here
Here is the full list of winners who took home awards at the 2025 Golden Globe Awards.CBS News - 18h -
Golden Globes 2025: See winners, speeches, historic moments
The biggest stars in film and TV gathered for the 82nd Golden Globe Awards with a night of firsts including a best supporting actress win for Zoe Saldaña and a standout victory speech from Demi ...NBC News - 19h -
Tornado Confirmed in Northern California
A warning covering an area with about 2,200 residents told people to take shelter because flying debris was expected.The New York Times - 3d -
Finding Light in Winter
No matter how dark the days, we can find light in our own hearts, and we can be one another’s light.The New York Times - 3d -
The 50 must-see TV shows for 2025
Sally Wainwright goes punk! Michaela Coel is back! And Robert De Niro smashes on to streaming like a man with something to prove! Here’s your complete guide to 2025’s unmissable TV . Thanks to ...The Guardian - 4d -
When and where to see the Quadrantids, 2025's first meteor shower
The first meteor shower of 2025 is about to peak. Here's how to watch and where you can see the Quadrantids.CBS News - 5d -
See Ya, 2024. Here’s What We Loved.
Where Times Opinion — and listeners — found joy this year.The New York Times - 6d
More from The Hill
-
Dem Rep. Bera ready to meet Republicans '50-yard-line,' and even '40-yard-line' since they're in majority
Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.) said on Monday he is ready to meet Republicans “at the 50-yard-line” and even at “the 40-yard-line” due to them being “in the majority.” “So, the American public clearly ...The Hill - 4h -
Trump says he'll replace National Archives leader
President-elect Trump said on Monday that he’ll replace the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) leader. “We will [have a] new archivist,” Trump told conservative radio host Hugh ...The Hill - 5h -
Biden says 'New Orleans defines strength and resilience' at service for victims
President Biden offered his condolences to the victims of the New Orleans New Year's Day attack, calling the Louisiana city one with a tough spirit at an interfaith prayer service with victims’ ...The Hill - 7h -
A Gaza ceasefire agreement in next 2 weeks? The US is hopeful
Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter {beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security The Big Story A Gaza ceasefire agreement in next 2 weeks? The US is hopeful The ...The Hill - 7h -
Musk asks his followers if the US 'should liberate the people of Britain from their tyrannical government'
Tech billionaire Elon Musk on Monday asked his followers on the social platform X, which he owns, if the U.S. “should liberate the people of Britain from their tyrannical government.” “America ...The Hill - 8h
More in Politics
-
California sheriff is Trump's blue-state ally
Riverside County, California, Sheriff Chad Bianco says he feels "very good" about President-elect Trump winning the election and calls Democrats' agenda "pro criminal." In the past, Bianco was a ...NBC News - 4h -
Dem Rep. Bera ready to meet Republicans '50-yard-line,' and even '40-yard-line' since they're in majority
Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.) said on Monday he is ready to meet Republicans “at the 50-yard-line” and even at “the 40-yard-line” due to them being “in the majority.” “So, the American public clearly ...The Hill - 4h -
Trump says he'll replace National Archives leader
President-elect Trump said on Monday that he’ll replace the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) leader. “We will [have a] new archivist,” Trump told conservative radio host Hugh ...The Hill - 5h -
Miami Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio asks for Jan. 6 Trump pardon
Enrique Tarrio is asking President-elect Donald Trump for a pardon.CBS News - 6h -
Biden says 'New Orleans defines strength and resilience' at service for victims
President Biden offered his condolences to the victims of the New Orleans New Year's Day attack, calling the Louisiana city one with a tough spirit at an interfaith prayer service with victims’ ...The Hill - 7h