Northern Lights Over Boston Due to 'Very Rare' Solar Storm

UPDATE Sat May 11th: The geomagnetic storm will continue tonight but more clouds are expected in Greater Boston. The best viewing areas will be away from city light pollution.

Boston residents could be in for a rare celestial treat. Thanks to unusually strong solar flare activity, the Northern Lights might be visible in our skies this weekend. The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has tracked four massive coronal mass ejections, originating from a giant sunspot, that are predicted to merge and impact Earth, creating a striking auroral display. This phenomenon, known as a "cannibal CME," is expected to produce a significant geomagnetic storm by late Friday night.

Dates: Late Fri May 10 to early Sun May 12, 2024

Best Viewing Times: 11 PM to 2 AM

View more details via Eric Fisher:

https://twitter.com/ericfisher/status/1788921168658886697

The SWPC has issued a G4 level storm watch—the first of its severity since 2005—indicating a severe geomagnetic storm that could make the aurora visible as far south as Alabama and northern California. The aurora might not typically grace our Boston skies, but the strength of this storm offers a unique viewing opportunity.

While partly cloudy skies are forecasted for the region, there are expected to be gaps in the cloud cover that could provide clear glimpses of the aurora. The best times to potentially see the Northern Lights in Boston will be between 11 PM and 2 AM. Residents are encouraged to find spots with minimal light pollution and to keep an eye on local weather updates for the clearest viewing opportunities. This rare event is an exciting chance for Bostonians to witness one of nature’s most stunning displays.

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