G4 geomagnetic storm watch: The Space Weather Prediction Center warns of a G4 storm Tuesday night into Wednesday that could push auroras unusually far south. Late Tuesday night into early Wednesday is the best viewing window; northern Oklahoma, Tennessee and parts of the Ozarks could see activity. Arkansas will likely only see a faint northern glow in dark areas, though cameras and long exposures may capture it. This event is expected to be weaker than the May 2024 display but remains noteworthy.
Rare G4 Geomagnetic Storm Watch — Northern Lights Could Reach Much Farther South
G4 geomagnetic storm watch: The Space Weather Prediction Center warns of a G4 storm Tuesday night into Wednesday that could push auroras unusually far south. Late Tuesday night into early Wednesday is the best viewing window; northern Oklahoma, Tennessee and parts of the Ozarks could see activity. Arkansas will likely only see a faint northern glow in dark areas, though cameras and long exposures may capture it. This event is expected to be weaker than the May 2024 display but remains noteworthy.
05:57 AM, 11/12/2025Science
G4 Geomagnetic Storm Watch: Northern Lights May Drop Farther South
The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has issued a G4 geomagnetic storm watch for Tuesday night into Wednesday, signaling a potentially strong disturbance in Earth's magnetic field. When solar particles of this intensity arrive, they can energize the upper atmosphere and create the colorful curtains and bands we know as the Northern Lights (aurora borealis).
If forecasts verify, the aurora may descend well below its usual latitudes — possibly as far south as northern Oklahoma, across Tennessee and into parts of the Ozarks. In Arkansas, bright overhead displays are unlikely, but observers in dark, northern locations away from city lights could spot a faint glow low on the northern horizon. Long-exposure cameras and phone-night-mode photos are more likely to capture the event than the naked eye in many areas.
Your best viewing window is late Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning. A few passing clouds are expected in northern and western Arkansas, but forecasters anticipate enough clear breaks to allow viewing during that window.
What to know and how to watch
- Look north from a dark location between midnight and dawn for the best chance of seeing any glow. - Use a tripod and long-exposure camera settings or night mode on phones to increase detection chances. - Avoid bright lights and let your eyes adjust to the dark for 10–15 minutes.
Possible impacts
A G4-level event can also affect technology: it may cause radio blackouts for high-frequency communications, create navigation (GPS) disturbances, and in rare cases stress electrical systems. Agencies and utilities monitor these events and may issue specific guidance if local impacts are expected.
This event is not expected to match the intense displays seen in May 2024, but it remains noteworthy that the same solar energy likely to light up skies over the Great Lakes could reach this far south. Even a subtle auroral glow can be an exciting sight — it’s worth stepping outside for a quick look toward the north during the watch window.
Source: Space Weather Prediction Center; local cloud forecasts for Arkansas. © 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved.