Northern Lights put on widespread show as severe geomagnetic storm roars to life

Northern Lights put on widespread show as severe geomagnetic storm roars to life

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Dancing across the skies in vibrant ribbons of color, auroras are one of nature’s most magnificent natural phenomena.

NEW YORK — A strong solar storm has brought a brilliant eruption of the Northern Lights that could maybe rival the dazzling global display of May 10.

Reports of skies lit afire in color along the Eastern Time Zone where the sun had already set stretched from Boston through New York City, Washington, DC and even into the Southeast.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center says there is currently a Level 4 “Severe” Geomagnetic Storm and may at times reach Level 5 “Extreme” levels on Thursday night which would match the alert level from May 10’s storm that sparked near global auroras.

  • A view of the Northern lights from Berkshire, New York taken on Oct. 10, 2024 during a severe (G4) geomagnetic storm.

    A view of the Northern lights from Berkshire, New York taken on Oct. 10, 2024 during a severe (G4) geomagnetic storm. ( )

  • A view of the Northern lights from the New York National Weather Service Office taken on Oct. 10, 2024 during a severe (G4) geomagnetic storm.

    A view of the Northern lights from the New York National Weather Service Office taken on Oct. 10, 2024 during a severe (G4) geomagnetic storm. ( )

  • Aurora lights seen from Lindenhurst, New York on Oct. 10, 2024 during a severe geomagnetic storm.

    Aurora lights seen from Lindenhurst, New York on Oct. 10, 2024 during a severe geomagnetic storm. (Seth Darling)

  • Aurora lights seen from Lindenhurst, New York on Oct. 10, 2024 during a severe geomagnetic storm. (Seth Darling)

  • A view of the Northern lights from Berkshire, New York taken on Oct. 10, 2024 during a severe (G4) geomagnetic storm.

    A view of the Northern lights from Berkshire, New York taken on Oct. 10, 2024 during a severe (G4) geomagnetic storm. ( )

  • A view of the Northern lights from Berkshire, New York taken on Oct. 10, 2024 during a severe (G4) geomagnetic storm.

    A view of the Northern lights from Berkshire, New York taken on Oct. 10, 2024 during a severe (G4) geomagnetic storm. ( )

  • Aurora lights seen from Burlington, North Carolina during a severe geomagnetic storm on Oct. 10, 2024.

    Aurora lights seen from Burlington, North Carolina during a severe geomagnetic storm on Oct. 10, 2024. (Elizabeth Tate)

  • A view of the Northern lights from Berkshire, New York taken on Oct. 10, 2024 during a severe (G4) geomagnetic storm.

    A view of the Northern lights from Berkshire, New York taken on Oct. 10, 2024 during a severe (G4) geomagnetic storm. ( )

  • A view of the Northern lights from Berkshire, New York taken on Oct. 10, 2024 during a severe (G4) geomagnetic storm.

    A view of the Northern lights from Berkshire, New York taken on Oct. 10, 2024 during a severe (G4) geomagnetic storm. ( )

For best viewing conditions, find a place away from city lights with a clear view of the northern horizon. Though some of the more intense displays in the northern latitudes may see the lights spread overhead and even shine through some light pollution.  Having a camera that can film with longer exposures will yield spectacular photos.

Updates to follow.