Aurora borealis northern lights forecast

Get Ready to Gobble Up the Northern Lights This Thanksgiving!

Wondering how to spice up your Thanksgiving? Get outside after dinner for a chance to see the Northern Lights lighting up the sky from NYC to Vermont!

The anticipation for Thanksgiving is always high, but this year, it’s not just turkeys and pumpkin pies that will be gracing our tables. If you’re in the northeastern part of the US, particularly in big cities like New York City, you might also get to feast your eyes on an awe-inspiring spectacle: the Northern Lights! That’s right! Thanks to a series of geomagnetic storms expected to occur courtesy of NOAA’s space weather forecast, the conditions might be just right to witness the aurora borealis—often reserved for far northern locales—much closer to home than usual. So, after you’ve had your fill of stuffing and cranberry sauce, consider heading outdoors for an after-dinner treat that even your family turkey would approve of!

Moving beyond the bounds of NYC, the good news stretches across the states—from the bustling streets of New York to the scenic landscapes of Idaho and even Vermont! NOAA has indicated that those in the northern U.S. could be in line to catch a glimpse of this otherworldly phenomenon on Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Imagine the crackling excitement in the air as families swap stories over dessert, only to find themselves marvelling at waves of green and purple lighting up the night sky. It’s the perfect backdrop for your holiday selfies, and let’s be real, what beats a holiday photo with the Northern Lights?

As we edge closer to the holidays, sky gazers should keep their eyes peeled for the stunning auroras, especially as the forecast suggests activity not just on Thanksgiving, but also on Friday! The geomagnetic storms generating this celestial ballet come from charged particles emitted from the sun, colliding with Earth's magnetic field, producing those beautiful, swirling colors. So make sure you bundle up and grab a cozy blanket before heading out — the last thing you want is to miss this phenomenon because you got too chilly!

And speaking of chilly; did you know that the Northern Lights have been seen as far south as Arizona on rare occasions? Mind-blowing, right? Also, if you find yourself craning your neck up to the sky this holiday season, keep in mind that solar activity cycles every 11 years, so who knows when the next display might be visible? As we gear up for a Thanksgiving combined with a super sky show, let’s make it a holiday to remember!