Aurora Borealis

 

Tonight, June 1, 2025, Portland residents have an extraordinary opportunity to witness the northern lights—also known as the aurora borealis—thanks to a rare and intense geomagnetic storm currently hitting Earth. This phenomenon, typically seen only in far northern latitudes like Alaska or Scandinavia, is making its way unusually far south due to a solar storm classified as a G4 (severe) event. Portland is well within the potential visibility range, and with mostly clear skies forecasted, the timing couldn’t be better.

The aurora happens when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth's upper atmosphere, producing brilliant displays of color that ripple and dance across the night sky. A recent coronal mass ejection, or CME, has significantly amplified this effect. Scientists had been monitoring this solar activity closely, and the current storm is strong enough to push the aurora’s reach as far south as Northern California—and even parts of the southern U.S.—something that happens only a handful of times in a solar cycle.

Here in Portland, the best viewing window is expected to fall between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. To give yourself the best chance of seeing the lights, head outside to a dark area away from city lights. Facing north is key, and patience is crucial—auroras can appear suddenly and fade just as quickly. Even if they aren’t immediately visible to the naked eye, modern smartphone cameras are often able to pick up the glowing green or red hues that might be invisible otherwise.

This event comes during the peak years of Solar Cycle 25, which is expected to produce increasingly frequent and powerful solar activity through about 2030. That means more nights like this could be on the horizon, but they’ll still be rare and unpredictable.

For those hoping to capture the moment, consider bringing a camera with manual settings, a tripod, and a wide-angle lens. Set a long exposure and use a wide aperture to let in as much light as possible. Even though it's June, nighttime temperatures can still be cool—dress warmly and keep spare batteries on hand, as cold weather drains them quickly.

Whether you’re a seasoned skywatcher or simply curious, tonight’s light show is not to be missed. Keep an eye on local aurora forecasts, step outside, and look up. Nature doesn’t send out many invitations like this one.