Northern lights were visible across parts of the Chicago area late Tuesday into early Wednesday, with photos from South Barrington, Oswego, Joliet and Huntley. Recent coronal mass ejections prompted NOAA warnings that geomagnetic storms could briefly disrupt radio and GPS systems. The Sun is near the peak of its ~11-year cycle, increasing the likelihood of auroras farther from the poles, and experts say the active period should continue at least through year-end.
Stunning Northern Lights Surprise Chicago Area — Photos and What to Know
Northern lights were visible across parts of the Chicago area late Tuesday into early Wednesday, with photos from South Barrington, Oswego, Joliet and Huntley. Recent coronal mass ejections prompted NOAA warnings that geomagnetic storms could briefly disrupt radio and GPS systems. The Sun is near the peak of its ~11-year cycle, increasing the likelihood of auroras farther from the poles, and experts say the active period should continue at least through year-end.
11:52 PM, 11/12/2025Science
Stunning Northern Lights Surprise Chicago Area
Colorful auroras lit up parts of the Chicago region late Tuesday into early Wednesday, and viewers shared striking photos from South Barrington, Oswego, Joliet, Huntley and other communities. The images were collected by ABC7 viewers and shared with local meteorologists.
Why this happened
Space weather forecasters issued alerts after the Sun released several coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, in recent days. Those eruptions of charged particles and plasma can reach Earth and interact with our magnetic field, producing auroras and, at times, affecting technological systems. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warned the incoming geomagnetic activity had the potential to be strong enough to briefly disrupt radio and GPS communications.
What meteorologists say
ABC7 Chicago AccuWeather meteorologist Cheryl Scott explained the basics of the event. AccuWeather's Tracy Butler noted there was also a chance auroras could be visible before sunrise Wednesday, but forecasting the exact timing and brightness is difficult — sometimes observers get only an hour or less of advance notice.
Solar cycle context
The Sun is near the active peak of its roughly 11-year cycle, which makes auroral displays more frequent and allows them to be seen farther from the poles. Last year saw one of the strongest geomagnetic storms in decades, producing auroras across much of the Northern Hemisphere. NASA and NOAA expect the active period to continue at least through the end of the year, although scientists can only confirm the exact peak after the fact.
Practical effects and safety
Solar storms can do more than create beautiful skies. When fast-moving solar particles strike Earth's magnetic field, they can temporarily interfere with power grids, air-traffic-control radio, satellites and GPS. Historical storms have had notable impacts: an 1859 event produced auroras as far south as Hawaii and reportedly caused telegraph outages and fires, while a 1972 storm may have affected magnetic sea mines off Vietnam.
How to watch and what to do
- Where to look: face north and seek a dark horizon away from city lights; auroras often appear low on the northern horizon when weak.
- Timing: displays may appear late at night or before dawn; short-notice alerts are common.
- Photography tips: use a tripod, wide-angle lens, high ISO and long exposure (several seconds) to capture faint light.
- Stay informed: sign up for NOAA space weather alerts or follow the Space Weather Prediction Center for updates if you work with sensitive systems.
For those who spotted the display, the auroras provided a rare and memorable show. Agencies continue to monitor solar activity and issue short-term warnings to utilities, satellite operators and other stakeholders when strong eruptions are imminent.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.