Northern Lights May Return to Green Bay on Nov. 13 — Viewing Tips & Forecast

Northern lights could appear over Green Bay for a third night on Nov. 13

For the third consecutive night, residents in the Green Bay area may have a chance to see the northern lights on the evening of Nov. 13. The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center says the ongoing geomagnetic storm could reach G3 on its five-level scale, following displays reported on Nov. 11 and Nov. 12.

Tonight's weather

The National Weather Service in Green Bay forecasts partly cloudy skies with a low near 32°F. Cloud cover can change quickly — you can monitor moving clouds over Wisconsin using the NOAA GOES Image Viewer.

How to improve your chances of seeing the aurora

• Best hours: Auroral activity is often strongest around midnight. Plan to be outside between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.
• Find dark skies: Travel as far away from city lights as possible for a clearer, darker horizon.
• Face north: Choose a location with an unobstructed view toward the north — elevated spots like hilltops or open fields work well.
• Be prepared: Dress warmly and allow your eyes 10–20 minutes to adapt to the dark.

Why this is happening

Strong geomagnetic storms occur when particles from coronal mass ejections reach Earth. Those storms can push auroral displays farther south than usual. NASA notes the sun is at or near the peak of its 11-year solar cycle, increasing electromagnetic activity and the likelihood of auroras.

Note: Aurora intensity and visibility can change rapidly. For the most current outlook, use the NOAA Aurora forecast tool, which updates on a 30-minute window.

Credit: Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact Benita Mathew at bmathew@gannett.com for more information.