NEW YORK — As the new year approaches, there’s potential for solar storms to illuminate the skies with northern lights across several northern states in the U.S.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has reported that the sun has released two significant bursts of plasma, which are on a trajectory toward Earth and are anticipated to arrive early this week.

Once these plasma waves hit, they could create vibrant auroras visible on Monday and Tuesday nights in places such as Alaska, Washington, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine.
Additionally, some areas in Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Iowa, and New York might also witness this breathtaking phenomenon.

According to Shawn Dahl, a forecaster with NOAA’s space weather division, the early morning hours of Tuesday, while darkness still prevails, will likely provide the greatest opportunity to enjoy this light display.
As the event approaches, updated forecasts may be accessible through NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center or an aurora prediction app.

For those interested in witnessing the display, it is recommended to seek out clear skies and move to areas away from the bright lights of cities. Interestingly, capturing the moment with a smartphone camera may reveal aspects of the aurora not seen by the naked eye.

Currently, the sun is in the peak phase of its 11-year cycle, which heightens the frequency of solar eruptions and northern lights shows.
This heightened activity is expected to continue for at least another year, although experts will only be able to confirm when solar activity has peaked months later.

NOAA is closely monitoring this week’s solar storm for any minor impacts on high-frequency radio communications utilized by airlines and amateur radio enthusiasts.
In May, NOAA issued a rare warning for a severe geomagnetic storm—the strongest in over 20 years—that resulted in spectacular light shows across the Northern Hemisphere.
Similarly, in October, a robust solar storm produced auroras as far from the Arctic Circle as Germany, the United Kingdom, New England, and even New York City.