New Year's Eve storm could make northern lights visible in US as Americans ring in 2025

For the last time before the New Year, the wonderful colors of the aurora can be seen by those who live in the northern border of America.

According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), solar storms, the result of two bursts of plasma racing toward Earth, could cause the northern lights earlier this week.

“A flurry of activity occurred over the weekend of December 28-29 when active regions and groups of (sun)spots became unstable,” NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) said.

CATCH THE NORTHERN LIGHTNING IN THE US AND AROUND THE WORLD WITH THESE VIEWING TIPS

And tonight might just be the perfect opportunity to pick up the dance colors the night sky.

Alaska is one place to spot the Northern Lights, especially if you’re out searching on New Year’s Eve. (Getty Images)

The tracker on NOAA’s website noted that it “shows a ‘line of sight,'” which represents the southernmost locations from which you can see the aurora borealis on the northern horizon.

Alaska, Washington, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine have the opportunity to host the spectacular light display.

THIS WEEKEND MAY HAVE A RARE CHANCE TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS BECAUSE OF A SOLAR FLASH

While parts of Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois and even New York may get a small view of the lights.

“The aurora can often be observed somewhere on Earth just after sunset or before sunrise according to NOAA.

“The aurora borealis is not necessarily directly overhead, but it can be seen from up to 1,000 km away if it is bright and if the conditions are right.”

FOX Weather reported that one of the coronal mass ejections (CMEs) entered the Earth’s atmosphere on Tuesday afternoon, leading to geomagnetic storms to be observed until the first day of the New Year.

NORTHERN LIGHTS MAY BE VISIBLE IN PARTS OF THE US THIS WEEK AFTER ‘STRONG SOLAR ACTIVITY’

The SWPC expects the geomagnetic storm to last until Tuesday evening as people ring in the New Year across the country.

The Northern Lights may reach parts of Iowa this New Year’s Eve. (Square Cities NWS)

When it comes to viewing the northern lights, there are several factors to take into account in order to get the best view: location, time, geomagnetic activity and darkness.

Accommodation

The most important thing when it comes to your location is to find a place with little to no obstructions.

“Try to find a location with minimal tree lines or hills so the northern horizon can be seen in full,” Fox News previously reported.

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Deadlines

The best time to see the lights is late evening or early morning, which is definitely New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

The aurora borealis was recorded by the NWS office in Caribou, Maine — one of the locations expected to see the aurora borealis on New Year’s Eve. (NWS via Fox Weather)

“The best aurora usually occurs an hour or two after midnight (between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time),” reports the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC).

“The aurora can be in the evening and in the morning, but it’s usually not as active and therefore not as visually appealing.”

Geomagnetic activity

If the geomagnetic field is active, then The aurora will be brighter stronger and farther from the magnetic poles, SWPC reports.

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The best time to see the northern lights is when the planetary K index is eight or nine and the aurora is moving equatorward, according to the weather service’s website.

“Severe Level 3 to 5 geomagnetic storms are possible on Tuesday, with minor Level 1 storms forecast for New Year’s Day. However, space weather forecasters are considering upgrading the watch to Level 2,” reports FOX Weather.