An extraordinary sky show across the South
Sunday night into early Monday, a severe geomagnetic storm is lighting up the American sky, and even the Deep South, including northern Alabama, might catch a glimpse of the northern lights—a rare phenomenon for these latitudes. According to the NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, this dramatic celestial display is caused by intensified solar activity, which enhances auroral visibility far beyond its typical Arctic range.
Intense aurora conditions on the move
The storm reached severe levels early Sunday morning, marking one of the strongest such events since May 2024, though it’s not expected to be quite as extreme. Nevertheless, Shawn Dahl, service coordinator for NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, confirmed that Sunday night offers the best chance for spotting auroras in places where they’re rarely visible.
He noted that Monday night may still offer opportunities, especially in northern states, but for Alabama, the peak visibility window is most likely tonight.
Where and when to watch
While vivid displays are expected across northernmost states like Michigan and Washington, low-latitude regions could see auroral glows on the horizon. This includes parts of Northern California, Oregon, the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic, and even down into the South, including Alabama.
Clear skies will be key. Northern California and the Pacific Northwest may see clearer skies earlier in the night, while much of the Midwest, central Plains, and Mid-Atlantic also appear favorable based on forecast cloud cover. For Alabama, conditions will need to stay cloud-free to catch the ethereal streaks dancing low on the northern horizon.
A once-in-a-decade spectacle
Seeing the aurora borealis in Alabama is extremely uncommon, and events of this magnitude are not typical year-round. The ongoing space weather dynamics are offering millions of Americans a chance to witness nature’s most magnetic show—no travel north required.
If skies remain clear and dark, and you’re in or near northern Alabama, look north late tonight for faint green or red lights, possibly shimmering just above the horizon.
