Feeling like you have a bad case of déjà vu? Well, same, but we’ll take it in this case if it means the potential to see the Northern Lights!
If you weren’t one of the lucky New Yorkers that caught a rare glimpse of the stunning Northern Lights dancing across the night sky earlier this month on Friday, May 10th–and again just a few days later–Mother Nature is giving you another chance!
The Space Weather Prediction Center has found that a large Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) is expected to hit the earth’s atmosphere sometime Friday night, May 31st, into Saturday morning, June 1st. This means the potential to see the aurora borealis dancing across the night sky!
Tonight’s storm is categorized as a G2 which is lower than the G5 storm that caused many New Yorkers to see the lights on May 10th but still makes it possible to catch them!
Here’s everything you need to know about potentially seeing the dazzling Northern Lights display in NY tonight:
When will the Northern Lights be visible in NY?
New Yorkers will have a chance to potentially see the Northern Lights tonight, Friday night, May 31st, into Saturday morning, June 1st.
According to The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center, the best viewing times are usually within an hour or two of midnight, between 10 pm and 2 am local time.
Where can I see the Northern Lights in NY?
Due to NYC’s intense light pollution you’ll have to find the darkest spot possible to see the lights. Places such as a dark park or beach will provide you with the best chance of seeing them.
Those in darker, more rural parts of New York have a better chance of catching the spectacle.
What are the chances of seeing the Northern Lights in NY?
The Geophysical Institute currently has a North American forecast ranking of Kp 6 on the geomagnetic index which measures auroral activity. The scale ranges from zero to nine, with nine being the most active.
When the northern lights were seen on May 10th there was a forecast ranking of Kp 8.
Do I need to a telescope to see the Northern Lights in NY?
One of the (many) fabulous things about the Northern Lights is that they don’t require any special equipment to see them! As long as you’re in a dark place looking up to the sky with the naked eye is enough.
When will the Northern Lights be visible next?
Lucky for us the Northern Lights may be visible more often over the next few years!
The NOAA has stated that we’re nearing the peak of Solar Cycle 25, an 11-year period in which the sun flips its north and south poles and causes various weather events to occur that can bring geomagnetic storms–along with the northern lights–to Earth.
How else can I see the Northern Lights?
If the Northern Lights aren’t visible in the sky where you are, don’t fret–you can always watch them on this Northern Lights Live Stream!