OH — Northeast Ohio residents may be treated to a rare celestial spectacle Sunday night as the Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are expected to be visible across parts of the region, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
As of midday Sunday, NOAA’s aurora forecast view line — which shows how far south the lights might be seen — included northern Ohio, offering residents a potential front-row seat to one of nature’s most dazzling displays.
The lights are driven by geomagnetic storms, which are measured on a G-scale ranging from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). Sunday night’s forecast calls for a G3 storm, considered moderately strong and capable of producing visible auroras across the northern United States, including Ohio — weather and light conditions permitting.
While there’s no guarantee the lights will be visible, the odds are better than usual. By Monday night, however, NOAA expects the view line to shift northward, likely putting Ohio out of viewing range.
The aurora borealis occurs when charged solar particles collide with gases in Earth’s upper atmosphere, releasing energy in the form of shimmering lights — typically green, but sometimes pink, red, or purple. The phenomenon is typically reserved for regions near the Arctic, making a viewing opportunity this far south a special occasion.
Residents hoping to catch a glimpse are encouraged to head outside after dark, away from city lights, and look north.
