UPDATE 11/12/25 11:00 AM:
Last night, the skies all across both North and South Carolina lit up with dancing waves of red and green lights as we witnessed one of the strongest North Light displays in the history of the Carolinas.
Today, another CME (Coronal mass ejection) will be arriving – once again bringing the stunning Northern Lights to the Carolinas.
Depending on the specific arrival of this third CME wave, the aurora will likely peak either just before dark or around dark here in the Charlotte region.
Original Article 11/11/25 9:00 PM:
A powerful and potentially historic geomagnetic storm, triggered by solar eruptions sending charged plasma toward Earth, could light up North Carolina’s night sky tonight.
G4 Levels Reached! Conditions met on 12 Nov at 0120 UTC. We anticipate continuing geomagnetic storm levels through the night to continue as long as conditions remain favorable (magnetic field of CME opposite Earth’s). Stay aware at https://t.co/TV7Yw6Lq1Y pic.twitter.com/KC3QrQ0v91
— NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) November 12, 2025
NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center’s alert states:
Induced Currents - Possible widespread voltage control problems and some protective systems may mistakenly trip out key assets from the power grid. Induced pipeline currents intensify. Spacecraft - Systems may experience surface charging; increased drag on low earth orbit satellites, and tracking and orientation problems may occur. Navigation - Satellite navigation (GPS) degraded or inoperable for hours. Radio - HF (high frequency) radio propagation sporadic or blacked out. Aurora - Aurora may be seen as low as Alabama and northern California.
The KP index is expected to peak over 7.0 between 10am – 1pm tonight:
Northern Lights lit up the North Carolina sky several times last year after an exceptionally powerful CME from the sun blasted our magnetosphere;
One of the most epic shots you’ll ever see of the #northernlights and the #MilkyWay This was over Waynesville, NC last night. Thanks for the photo Ezekiel Coppersmith. #scwx #ncwx pic.twitter.com/t1lWFfE2Py
— Ed Piotrowski (@EdPiotrowski) November 6, 2023
If you want to get your own shots of the aurora, you’ll need a long-exposure camera. Go to a very dark place where you have an unobstructed view toward the northern sky. The best place would be a remote mountain with north-facing views.
You can find the dark spots in your area using the official light pollution map here.
Happy aurora hunting!
