A rare double solar eruption has triggered auroras, making the Northern Lights visible in several states. Two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were released from the sun over last weekend, April 12 and 13, and were directed toward Earth.
The first CME impacted Earth's magnetic field around 1 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, April 15, causing geomagnetic storms and auroras at high latitudes. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), a G3 geomagnetic storm watch was issued, indicating a "strong" storm that could lead to auroras appearing at lower latitudes.
Skywatchers in the Northern Hemisphere, including those in Iceland, Sweden, Finland, and the U.K., captured images of the spectacular displays. The increased geomagnetic activity resulted from unstable magnetic filaments that released charged particles carried by solar wind, interacting with Earth's magnetosphere. As of April 16, 2025, the aurora borealis might be visible over northern states in the U.S., with some reports suggesting visibility as far south as Illinois and Oregon.
Auroras form when charged particles collide with oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere. While the exact timing of CME impacts is difficult to predict, NOAA continues to monitor the situation, providing updates and forecasts.