A strong solar storm heading toward Earth on Monday night may give parts of California a rare chance to see the northern lights. However, experts say the chances are still low and depend on several unpredictable factors.
Solar Storm May Bring a Possible Aurora Show
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a coronal mass ejection (CME) — a large burst of charged particles from the sun — is expected to reach Earth around 9 p.m. PST, give or take a few hours.
This CME came from the same active sunspot that created the bright auroras seen across the U.S. on November 11–12. Because of its strength, NOAA has issued a G3 “strong” geomagnetic storm watch for December 9.
How Far South Could the Lights Be Seen?
NOAA says the aurora could become visible across many northern states and parts of the Midwest. During short bursts of strong activity, even states as far south as California could catch a faint glow.
Why Seeing the Northern Lights Is Still Uncertain
The biggest factor will be the direction of the storm’s magnetic field:
- Southward magnetic field: Earth’s magnetic field connects with the storm, allowing particles in and creating auroras.
- Northward magnetic field: Energy gets deflected and the auroras fade quickly.
The exact timing is also unpredictable. CME arrivals can shift by several hours, so California’s viewing window — if any auroras appear — would be late Monday night into early Tuesday morning.
Weather Conditions Could Block the View
Fog and low clouds were expected across the Central Valley, North Bay, East Bay interior valleys, and some areas around the Bay itself. Patchy fog around San Francisco Bay may block visibility.
The best chance to see anything would be from:
- Hills above 1,500 feet
- Even better visibility above 2,000 feet
- Locations far from city lights
How to Track Aurora Activity
Skywatchers can monitor real-time conditions using:
- NOAA’s 30-minute aurora forecast
- My Aurora Forecast app
These tools show short-term updates on the storm’s strength and potential visibility.
Conclusion
California might get a rare glimpse of the northern lights tonight, but the odds depend on solar activity, storm timing, and local weather. While visibility will be limited in many regions due to fog, higher elevations and dark areas offer the best chance of catching the glow. With the help of real-time aurora tracking tools, skywatchers can stay alert and prepared—just in case the night sky lights up.
