Northern Lights Visible Across U.S. as strong Geomagnetic Storm Hits

A significant geomagnetic storm, the strongest in over two decades, is currently impacting Earth, potentially making the aurora borealis – commonly known as the Northern Lights – visible across a wider area of the United States than usual. The Space Weather Prediction center (SWPC) issued a G4 (Severe) geomagnetic storm watch on January 19, 2026, with conditions expected to persist.

What is a Geomagnetic Storm?

Geomagnetic storms are disturbances in Earth’s magnetosphere caused by solar activity,specifically coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and solar flares. NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center explains that CMEs are large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun’s corona, capable of releasing billions of tons of material into space. When these reach Earth, thay interact with our planet’s magnetic field, causing geomagnetic storms.

current Conditions and Visibility

The current storm is a result of a CME that arrived on January 19, 2026. The SWPC reports that this is the largest solar radiation storm as 2003. As of this evening, the auroral oval is expanding, and the Northern Lights might potentially be visible across parts of the northern U.S.,including Indiana,Illinois,and Wisconsin. If G4 levels continue, the aurora could stretch as far south as northern California and potentially cover all of Illinois and Indiana.

While a sighting isn’t guaranteed,