New Jersey residents may witness a rare sight late Thursday into early Friday. A severe geomagnetic storm could bring the Northern Lights into view. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a G4-level storm watch. This indicates that solar activity could create a colorful aurora across the state.
NOAA forecasts a KP index of eight for Thursday night, signaling that the aurora borealis will likely be bright and active. The agency anticipates that this event will create optimal conditions for viewing, allowing many people in New Jersey to witness the lights. The storm could push the aurora viewing line south. This makes it possible for residents to see the lights that typically only appear in Arctic regions.
Forecasters expect the storm to reach Earth early Thursday and last into Friday. While the auroras may become visible as far south as the southern edge of Nebraska, New Jersey residents stand a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights due to heightened solar activity.
The solar storm may also disrupt communication satellites and parts of the power grid. But officials remain uncertain about the extent of these disruptions.
New Jersey residents already glimpsed the aurora earlier this week when a G3-level storm illuminated the skies late Tuesday night. For those hoping to catch the next display, the best viewing occurs after sundown Thursday. Most likely between midnight and the early hours of Friday morning.
To maximize your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, aim to view the aurora between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Look for locations with minimal light pollution and clear skies. Elevated areas, such as hills or parks, provide an ideal vantage point for optimal viewing.
For those looking to capture the beauty of the aurora through photography, use low shutter speeds and the night mode feature on smartphones. This technique will help illuminate the colors and movement of the lights in your photos.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.