The Nov. 11 aurora lit up Nashville as charged solar particles collided with Earth’s atmosphere, producing vivid purples, reds and greens. NASA and NOAA note auroras usually occur between about 55° and 80° north but can extend farther south during severe geomagnetic storms. The SWPC warned on Nov. 12 that strong geomagnetic activity could continue through Nov. 14, but the forecasted view line suggests Tennessee will likely miss another display. States from Alaska through the northern Midwest and Northeast remain most likely to see further activity.
Will Nashville See the Northern Lights Again? What to Expect During the Geomagnetic Storm
The Nov. 11 aurora lit up Nashville as charged solar particles collided with Earth’s atmosphere, producing vivid purples, reds and greens. NASA and NOAA note auroras usually occur between about 55° and 80° north but can extend farther south during severe geomagnetic storms. The SWPC warned on Nov. 12 that strong geomagnetic activity could continue through Nov. 14, but the forecasted view line suggests Tennessee will likely miss another display. States from Alaska through the northern Midwest and Northeast remain most likely to see further activity.
02:50 AM, 11/13/2025Science
Will Nashville See the Northern Lights Again? What to Expect During the Geomagnetic Storm
On the night of Nov. 11, spectators across Nashville were treated to a vivid aurora that painted the sky in purples, reds and greens. The spectacle drew widespread attention and questions about whether the lights might return.
What causes auroras? According to NASA, auroras occur when high-energy charged particles from the Sun collide with atoms and molecules in Earth’s atmosphere, producing the shimmering curtains of color we call the northern and southern lights.
Why they usually appear up north: Auroras most often occur at high latitudes—roughly between 55° and 80° north—so places like Alaska and northern Canada see them most frequently. During periods of intense solar activity (solar maximum) or strong geomagnetic storms, the auroral zone can expand much farther south.
Recent activity and forecast: The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) reported that the recent geomagnetic storm reached severe levels. In its Nov. 12 update the center warned that strong geomagnetic activity could continue, with another disturbance expected around midday EST on Nov. 12 and elevated storm levels likely through Nov. 14.
Despite continued storm activity, the SWPC’s aurora-viewing forecast places much of the southern U.S., including Tennessee, outside the most likely viewing area for another show. Residents in Tennessee are therefore unlikely to see a repeat display in the immediate forecast window.
Best places and viewing tips: NOAA’s forecast indicates the following states had the best chances to catch another glimpse: Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Auroras are not visible in daylight; they’re most often seen just after sunset, just before sunrise, and especially within an hour or two of local midnight. Clear, dark skies and low light pollution improve your chances.
Recent southern sightings: Tennesseans previously saw notable displays in May 2024, and auroras briefly returned on June 1, 2025, during another severe geomagnetic storm, as reported by The Tennessean.
Sources: NASA, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center, The Tennessean (Diana Leyva).