HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – A strong solar storm from Tuesday ngiht led to Aurora viewing in the Mid-Atlantic.
Now solar storms can be extremely difficult to forecast and pinpoint but the NOAA space weather forecast was for a G4 geomagnetic storm. This is likely only the first of three coronal mass ejections heading toward Earth and Wednesday possible could offer better viewing, if the solar storm happens at dark.
Oh, my goodness. We have April in Sugar Grove, WV and look at this!! @forecaster25pic.twitter.com/RsUxjgcbyR
— Aubrey Urbanowicz (@WeatherAubs) November 12, 2025
VIRGINIA CHECKING IN!! iPhone shots pic.twitter.com/4YI7FinzAH
— Peter Forister 🍁🍂🍁 (@forecaster25) November 12, 2025
@Vincent_Ledvina From Carlton in Pendleton Co West Virginia I have numerous sightings in my area pic.twitter.com/QdwBx8ebVi
— Aubrey Urbanowicz (@WeatherAubs) November 12, 2025
Lucky! Clouds rolled in Grottoes too fast pic.twitter.com/0j0QRc7o17
— Jessica Newman (@jessicarnewman) November 12, 2025
Woodstock, VA! From Megan BowersI think I see a few light pillars too pic.twitter.com/hDynT5V2S4
— Aubrey Urbanowicz (@WeatherAubs) November 12, 2025
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Space weather prediction is incredibly challenging. Forecasting space weather is very different from forecasting surface weather. So there are many more challenges and it is much more difficult which can lead to disappointment especially with borderline solar storms. Here is the main page of the NOAA Space Weather Prediction site. At the top of the site it will list current geomagnetic storm conditions and the forecast.
- You’re looking for a G3 or stronger.
- You also want to look at the Kp index forecast. You’re looking for a Kp of 6 or stronger (ideally 7+) forecast in the next several hours but it has to correlate with night, meaning the skies must be dark while the storm is strong enough
To produce a strong aurora, you need a strong geomagnetic storm. When a G3 storm is forecast by NOAA, that may produce a very faint aurora along the horizon for parts of Virginia and West Virginia. At times, this may only be seen with a camera and possibly not even with the naked eye…