The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are typically only visible in locations like Alaska or Iceland. However, this weekend, Tennessee residents might have the opportunity to witness this spectacular natural phenomenon in their own skies. Thanks to heightened solar activity, the aurora borealis could be visible as far south as Tennessee, with the possibility of viewing it on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday nights.
Auroras are caused by particles from the sun interacting with Earth’s magnetic field, creating colorful displays of light in the sky. The upcoming auroras are expected due to coronal mass ejections from the sun, which will trigger geomagnetic storms and produce the auroras. A G4 geomagnetic storm watch has been issued for Saturday, May 11, making it the first G4 watch since 2005.
While the northern lights are a stunning sight, strong solar storms like G4s can also have adverse effects, such as disrupting communication systems and power grids. Tennessee residents are advised to check NOAA’s short-term forecast to track the intensity and location of potential auroras.
For the best viewing experience, it is recommended to go out at night away from city lights. The peak viewing hours are typically between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. Despite not being a typical location for northern lights sightings, Tennessee could have the opportunity to witness this natural wonder due to the increased solar activity leading up to the peak of a solar discharge cycle in 2025.
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