A rare and powerful geomagnetic storm may light up skies across nearly two dozen U.S. states Monday night — including right here in Ohio — offering residents a chance to witness the Northern Lights far south of their usual range.
NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center issued a special alert Sunday, forecasting a strong G3 geomagnetic storm through midday Tuesday, Dec. 9. The event was triggered by what scientists call a “full-halo” coronal mass ejection — a massive burst of plasma from the sun — following a strong solar flare on Dec. 6.
While auroras are notoriously difficult to predict, forecasters say the northern lights may be visible late Monday night into early Tuesday morning, and potentially again Tuesday night. States in the viewing zone stretch from Alaska across the northern tier of the U.S. and deep into the Midwest, including:
Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
Even parts of the lower Midwest and the Pacific Northwest may catch a glimpse of the display if conditions are right.
How to Capture the Aurora in Ohio
Those hoping to spot the lights should head to a dark area away from city glow and face north. Since the aurora may appear faint to the naked eye at this latitude, phone cameras can help enhance what you see:
- Switch to Pro/Manual Mode or Night Mode
- Use a long shutter speed (5–15 seconds)
- Increase ISO to 800–1600
- Stabilize your phone with a tripod or steady surface
- Use apps like My Aurora Forecast to track real-time activity
With clear skies and a bit of luck, Ohioans may be treated to a rare winter spectacle — a dazzling sweep of color dancing across the night sky.
