Rare aurora sighting expected in New Jersey skies
NEW JERSEY — A spectacular celestial display could grace the skies of New Jersey tonight as the northern lights, or aurora borealis, may become visible due to heightened geomagnetic activity.
When and where to look up
Forecasters are highlighting a promising window of visibility from 10 p.m. Sunday, June 1, through 2 a.m. Monday, June 2, with the best chances occurring in rural or dark-sky areas far from urban light pollution. Ideal conditions involve clear skies and a view toward the northern horizon.
According to the National Weather Service, skies are predicted to be mostly clear over Trenton, offering a strong chance of visibility, while Newark and Atlantic City may experience patchy clouds, potentially obstructing the view at times.
Why this is happening
A G4-level geomagnetic storm watch has been issued by the Space Weather Prediction Center, marking an unusually strong burst of solar activity. This storm is pushing the aurora farther south than usual — possibly reaching as far south as Alabama, an occurrence that is exceptionally rare.
The aurora itself appears in the sky as vivid streaks or curtains of green, red, and purple light, caused by charged particles from the Sun colliding with Earth’s magnetosphere. The green auroral oval typically marks the standard viewing range, but when the display intensifies, this oval expands and turns red, signaling increased visibility at lower latitudes.
A rare treat for the Garden State
For New Jersey, witnessing the aurora borealis is far from common. Yet, meteorologist Collin Gross shared on social media that he’s already seen it twice last year, in May and October, and wonders if this weekend might deliver a third sighting.
To increase your chances tonight, it’s advised to head outside city limits, choose a dark, elevated location, and gaze toward the northern horizon. While not guaranteed, all the right ingredients are aligning to make this an unforgettable skywatching opportunity across the Garden State.
