A rare and stunning Northern Lights display was witnessed in several US states between Thursday night and Friday morning, leaving skywatchers in awe. The aurora borealis, a natural phenomenon that is usually only visible in the far north, was reported in more than half a dozen states, including Montana, Wyoming, Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, North Dakota, and New York.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center had predicted a strong chance of the Northern Lights being visible, but the display was even more impressive than anticipated. Officials have described the event as “exceptional” and unlikely to be repeated on Friday night.
What are the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, are a natural phenomenon caused by solar winds interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field. This creates a spectacular display of lights in the sky, with green, blue, and purple hues dancing across the horizon.
Spectacular Show of Green and Purple Hues
Weather service offices in several states shared photos of the stunning display on social media, showing the sky ablaze with shimmering green and purple hues. Forecasters were stunned by the spectacle, with one Minnesota forecast office tweeting, “I’m no photographer, but we’re able to see the Aurora with our naked eye here in Chanhassen!”
The weather service office in Spokane, Washington, described the show as “stunning.” The display was visible from many areas across the northern US, with some reports even coming in from as far south as Northern California.
Southern California Catches Rare Glimpse of Northern Lights
Reports of the lights being visible as far south as Northern California prompted one Twitter user to ask the San Diego National Weather Service whether the aurora borealis had ever been seen in the southern part of the state. While sightings in Southern California are rare due to the bright lights of urban areas, the forecast office confirmed that a sighting had been reported in 2000.
In conclusion, the exceptional display of the Northern Lights across several US states has left skywatchers in awe. The stunning green and purple hues dancing across the horizon have been described as a once-in-a-lifetime event, making this an unforgettable experience for those lucky enough to witness it.
