The Northern Lights lit up the skies over Ohio last night, with shades of green, pink, and purple shimmering over parts of Columbus and beyond — and the show might not be over yet.
A series of powerful geomagnetic storms triggered by multiple solar eruptions made the aurora visible much farther south than usual on Tuesday night, marking one of the most vibrant displays seen in Central Ohio in recent years.
What caused last night’s aurora?
The dazzling light show was the result of a G4 (Severe) geomagnetic storm sparked by a coronal mass ejection (CME) launched from the Sun earlier this week. When the CME reached Earth’s magnetic field Tuesday evening, it triggered strong disturbances that painted the night sky in color.
But space weather experts say the fun isn’t over. According to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, two more CMEs are expected to arrive through Wednesday and Thursday, which means another round of auroras could be visible across much of the northern U.S.
More solar storms are on the way
NOAA scientists say at least three powerful outbursts of solar plasma were launched from an active sunspot, AR4274. The most recent eruption, a massive X5.1-class solar flare, was the strongest of 2025 so far, briefly disrupting radio signals across parts of Europe and Africa.
As these CMEs reach Earth, they could combine to produce additional geomagnetic storms through Thursday. If forecasts hold, another G4-level event could occur tonight (Wednesday, Nov. 12), with the aurora possibly dipping as far south as northern California, Alabama, and again across much of Ohio.
Can you see the Northern Lights again tonight?
If you missed last night’s display, don’t worry — conditions could be favorable again. NOAA predicts strong auroral activity tonight and Thursday, though exact visibility depends on cloud cover and how the storms interact as they reach Earth.
To maximize your chances:
- Get away from city lights and find a dark, open area.
- Look north — in Ohio, the aurora often appears on the horizon rather than overhead.
- Check the 30-minute forecast from NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center before heading out (NOAA.gov)
- Watch between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., when skies are darkest and activity is most likely.
What’s next
Even though auroras this far south remain rare, increased solar activity during the current solar cycle is making sightings like this more common. Experts expect heightened space weather over the next several months, meaning this might not be Ohio’s last light show of the year.
Stay tuned to NOAA’s updates and keep your camera charged. With more CMEs on the way, the Northern Lights could make another surprise visit to Ohio skies tonight.
