Americans were given the experience of a lifetime on Nov. 11th when the Northern Lights put on an amazing display over the Lower 48.
The phenomenon occurs after solar events known as coronal mass ejections (CME), or solar flares, interact with the oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth’s magnetic field. This creates a geomagnetic storm, which produces the vivid colors in the sky.
Skywatchers across the US took to social media to document the nighttime spectacle:
NEW HAMPSHIRE
A dazzling display of Northern Lights over Sandown, NH
ILLINOIS
After seeing heavy snowfall earlier in the week, residents across The Prairie State were gifted with clear views of the phenomenon.
NORTH CAROLINA
Northern Lights dazzle over Spruce Pine, NC
(Jennifer McMahon)
The aurora was even visible in southern states, with North Carolina getting the opportunity to see the bright pink and purple hues in the sky.
WISCONSIN
Northern Lights over Ashland, WI
(@clkoval/X)
MINNESOTA
A spectacular display of red lights over Northern Minnesota
(@kkvolt/X)
WYOMING
Northern Lights shine over the National Weather Service office in Cheyenne, WY
(@nwscheynne/X)
NORTH DAKOTA
A bright green aurora of light shining over North Dakota during Tuesday night’s Northern Light spectacle
7 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
NEBRASKA
Northern Lights over Blair, NE
(Amy Thallas)
IOWA
The northern lights dazzle over Johnston, Iowa Tuesday night.
NEW JERSEY
Northern lights seen over Budd Lake, New Jersey on Tuesday Nov. 11, 2025.
(Matthew Mueller )
Budd Lake, NJ, which is about an hour west of New York City, was able to get in on the action and witness the sky turn a bright green.
For those who missed colorful skies on Tuesday, another geomagnetic storm is expected to occur on Wednesday, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
