The northern lights put on a show across Ohio in May and returned for an encore performance in October . Could Ohioans be watching the ball drop on New Year’s Eve or celebrating the new year under the glow of the aurora borealis?
It’s possible, with a strong solar storm expected to impact the Earth on Dec. 31. Here’s what to know.
Northern lights could shine over Ohio on New Year’s Eve
The Space Weather Prediction Center reports that the aurora borealis could glow over the United States on Tuesday, thanks to a coronal mass ejection that left the sun on Dec. 29. The center has issued a strong geomagnetic storm watch , level G3 out of 5, for Dec. 31.
If the solar storm hits at that level, it could push the northern lights into the northernmost states and as far south as Lake Erie, possibly making them visible from Northern Ohio. If the storm grows in strength, the aurora could be pushed farther south over Ohio.
Though people in the Cincinnati area and even Northern Kentucky could see the lights in October, it is unlikely the spectacle will be visible over the region this time, according to the latest projections.