The aurora borealis was visible over the Lehigh Valley Tuesday night, and NOAA’s SWPC says much of Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey lie north of the view line for a potential repeat Wednesday night. Recent coronal mass ejections — two already arrived and another incoming — have produced vivid displays as far south as Kansas, Colorado and Texas and even in parts of Europe. Space weather has caused some GPS and power-grid impacts and prompted a NASA delay of a Blue Origin rocket launch. Visitors should pick a dark location, dress warmly, and check NOAA SWPC for real-time updates.
Northern Lights May Return Tonight Over the Lehigh Valley — How and Where to See Them
The aurora borealis was visible over the Lehigh Valley Tuesday night, and NOAA’s SWPC says much of Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey lie north of the view line for a potential repeat Wednesday night. Recent coronal mass ejections — two already arrived and another incoming — have produced vivid displays as far south as Kansas, Colorado and Texas and even in parts of Europe. Space weather has caused some GPS and power-grid impacts and prompted a NASA delay of a Blue Origin rocket launch. Visitors should pick a dark location, dress warmly, and check NOAA SWPC for real-time updates.
10:37 AM, 11/13/2025Science
The aurora borealis returned to skies over the Lehigh Valley on Tuesday night, drawing residents outdoors despite the cold. Forecasters say another display may be possible Wednesday night for much of Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey.
Where to look
NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) places most of Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey north of its view line for Wednesday night — the southernmost horizon where auroras might be visible. Clouds won’t necessarily prevent sightings, but the National Weather Service forecasts mostly cloudy skies for the Lehigh Valley with lows in the mid-30s and a breezy west wind, so dress warmly if you head outside.
Why it’s happening
Solar activity has surged in recent days, with multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) — powerful bursts of solar plasma and magnetic fields — launched from the sun. Two CMEs have already reached Earth, and forecasters say at least one more is still en route and could arrive soon. SWPC has issued a severe storm alert for the incoming burst; how bright the auroras become and how far south they’ll be visible depends on when it arrives and how it interacts with Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere.
Impacts beyond the lights
These storms have caused some disruptions: NOAA official Shawn Dahl reported impacts to GPS communications and parts of the power grid. The surge in space weather also prompted NASA to postpone the launch of a new Blue Origin rocket carrying Mars orbiters until conditions improve.
Context
The sun is near the peak of its roughly 11-year activity cycle, which increases the frequency and geographic reach of auroral displays. Strong storms in recent years have sent northern lights into unexpected locations across the United States and Europe. Historically, extreme solar events have had significant effects — for example, the 1859 Carrington Event produced auroras as far south as Hawaii and caused telegraph disruptions.
How to watch and where to get updates
For the best chance to see the lights, pick a dark, quiet spot away from city lights, such as a local or national park. Check the local weather forecast because clouds can obscure the view. Smartphone cameras can sometimes capture faint auroral colors that the eye cannot see, so try long-exposure or night-mode settings. Real-time forecasts and alerts are available from NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center and from aurora-forecasting apps.
Tip: If you plan to go out tonight, dress warmly, bring a thermos, and give your eyes 10–20 minutes to adapt to the dark for the best viewing experience.
Reporters: The Associated Press and supervising reporter Kurt Bresswein contributed. Reach the original reporter at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.