Northern Lights visible Tuesday night across parts of North Carolina

If we're going to see Arctic weather, you might as well throw in Arctic phenomena too, right?

2025-11-11

Cold weather has nothing to do with the aurora borealis, but parts of North Carolina has seen a glimpse of the Northern Lights on Tuesday night. 

Tap to see viewer photos of the Northern Lights in NC: A nighttime phenomenon: Northern Lights visible Tuesday night across parts of North Carolina

The aurora is nearly impossible to guarantee this far south, but we'll show you why they are visible.

Watch: Will North Carolina see the northern lights tonight? A NASA ambassador shares what to expect

A pair of coronal mass ejections (CMEs, also known as solar flares) are heading toward Earth.

When these CMEs collide with the Earth's magnetic field, it triggers a geomagnetic storm. The stronger that storm, the farther south the aurora can be seen. 

The Space Weather Prediction Center with NOAA says this storm is expected to be a G3/strong storm.

According to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, there is a chance that the aurora could be seen as far south as North Carolina after 10 or 11 p.m. Tuesday. 

You'd have to look low on the horizon and away from city lights.

Tony Rice, NASA ambassador and frequent contributor to pugongyingbo.com, said there is some uncertainty in regards to the aurora's visibility this far south. 

"The trouble is that there are two coronal mass ejections on their way, and we’re not sure when they’ll arrive. Timing confidence is "low to moderate” and “moderate to fair” respectively," Rice said. "If they arrive together, and are more earth directed, that color could be more prominent."

Peter Forister, an experienced photographer in Charlottesville, Va., says there is a second flare that could trigger more potential on Wednesday night.

If you want to look north, get away from city lights after 10 or 11 p.m. Tuesday. Your best bet is to try to take photos with your phone's night mode. The aurora is unlikely to be visible with the naked eye.

It's doubtful that you'll see these dancing over your head like you would in some Scandinavian countries.

If you are lucky enough to see Lady Aurora, send us your photos through pugongyingbo.com/reportit.