(WHTM) — Despite the cold, there may be a reason to go outside tonight in Pennsylvania.
Scientists at the Space Weather Prediction Center issued a “severe” geomagnetic storm alert Monday night. At G4 levels, the storm could increase voltage control problems and affect satellite operations.
Thanks for signing up!
Watch for us in your inbox.
Subscribe Now
However, it could also cause the northern lights to be visible across the United States, including in Pennsylvania.
“We may not be overhead, but we have a very good chance,” said abc27 Chief Meterologist Eric Finkenbinder.
Finkenbinder said the best opportunity to catch the northern lights will come between 7 p.m. and midnight.
Visibility depends on clear skies. In the Midstate, skies were clearing ahead of the evening. The rest of the state may not be as lucky, though.
In November, solar storms allowed Pennsylvanians to see the phenomenon, which is typically visible in northern latitudes across Alaska and Canada.
The magnetic field was “eight times stronger than what’s normal” then, said Shawn Dahl, service coordinator at the Space Weather Prediction Center.
Get severe weather alerts with newsletters and push alerts from the abc27 Weather Team
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.