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Residents in northern states across America might see more than just a sky full of stars. In perhaps the best way to start 2025, people could see the aurora borealis — a.k.a the northern lights — once again on New Year’s Eve! On December 31, 2024, northern states might be gifted with pink and green hues once again thanks to a geomagnetic storm. So, will the northern lights be visible for you as the new year begins?
Find out if you’re in the path of where the aurora borealis could appear this time.
What Is a Geomagnetic Storm?
Geomagnetic storms are a “major disturbance of Earth’s magnetosphere that occurs when there is a very efficient exchange of energy from the solar wind into the space environment surrounding Earth,” according to the Space Weather Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). They form from “variations in the solar wind” which can alter the “currents, plasmas and fields in Earth’s magnetosphere,” per the website.
When severe geomagnetic storms occur, the NOAA warns that they could disrupt electrical power networks. This could, in turn, result in power outages.
Where to See the Northern Lights on New Year’s Eve
According to the NOAA, people in the following states could see the northern lights as they count down to midnight on New Year’s Eve: Idaho, Washington, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The pink and green hues could also be visible in parts of Iowa, Wyoming, Nebraska, Illinois, Michigan, Oregon, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. But as most people remember from the previous geomagnetic storms, the further north you are, the more likely you could see the lights.
For those watching the ball drop in Times Square, New York City, though, it’s unlikely to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis because of the major light pollution from the city.
What Time to See the Northern Lights
People in the northern states closest to Canada could see the northern lights between 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. local time, according to Forbes.
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