How to Watch the Northern Lights on New Year's Eve and Where They Will Be Visible

Mar. 15, 2025

Northern Lights.Photo:Ross Harried/NurPhoto via Getty

The night sky in Wisconsin glows with the Northern Lights as a geomagnetic storm brings vibrant pink and green colors to a majority of the northern states.

Ross Harried/NurPhoto via Getty

Fireworks won’t be the only things lighting up the sky on New Year’s Eve!

Another round ofnorthern lightsis expected to be visible from parts of the United States on Wednesday, Dec. 31, producing a spectacular display of colors in the night to close out 2024.

Geomagnetic storms result from coronal mass ejections, also known as an eruption of solar material, is anticipated to reach and impact Earth. According toNASA, “the Sun emitted three strong solar flares on Dec. 29, peaking at 2:18am, 11:14pm and 11:31pm ET.”

The colors and brightness of the northern lights, or aurora borealis, depend upon four factors: geomagnetic activity, location, darkness, and timing. The level of geomagnetic activity is measured on the Kp index, which ranges from 0 to 9.

According to NOAA’s scale, Kp in the range of 0 to 2 (which is forecasted for Jan. 1) will be far north, not as intense nor active in comparison to higher levels. Storms in the 3 to 5 range are “brighter” and “can be quite pleasing to look at” if in the right place, per the agency.

While northern lights are considered a rare phenomenon for most parts of the United States, they were visible in the countryseveral timesin the past few months. The East Coast (including New Jersey and New York) had a breathtaking sight of the lights in October.

Read on for how to watch the Northern Lights on New Year’s Eve!

When will the northern lights be visible?

Northern Lights.Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty

ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - MAY 11: Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), also known as aurora, colorful lights shift, illuminate the sky in Rochester, New York, United States on May 11, 2024.

Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty

The northern lights are predicted to be visible from parts of the United States between Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 next year, according toNOAA. The event will be the strongest on New Year’s Eve (G3) and weaken to a G1 storm the next day; however, the agency reports it may “upgrade to a G2 watch.”

Where will the northern lights be visible?

The New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day northern lights are predicted to be visible in many of the northern states and parts of the lower midwest to Oregon. NOAA suggests those interested in spotting the display check the “aurora viewline” tool on theirwebsitefor the most accurate updates.

How to watch the northern lights?

Northern Lights.Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty

The blinking lights of a plane streak through the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, which is visible over Lake Berryessa, Calif., near midnight on Saturday 11, 2024. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials said a rare, G5 geomagnetic storm had reached earth at around 4 p.m.Friday afternoon, and was expected to continue through the weekend. NOAA said it was the first observed G5 event since the Halloween storms of 2003.

Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty

The best part about the northern lights? You don’t need any advanced technology to catch a glimpse! All viewers have to do is point their eyes to the sky to take in the breathtaking view; though, of course geographical location matters.

Also, viewers must take into consideration the light pollution surrounding them. It’s best to watch in total darkness, away from bright city lights (or New Year’s Eve fireworks, in this case) for the best sight of colors in the night sky.

Telescopes and binoculars are not needed.

How to take photos of the northern lights?

Smartphones have the advanced technological capability to capture the northern lights on camera so you can remember the spectacular sight forever!

All users have to do is toggle their phones to “Night Mode.” This setting can oftentimes pick up the northern lights even when they’re not visible to the naked eye!

source: people.com

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