Before the fireworks of New Year’s Eve in Boston, the sky could light up with aurora borealis. Northern lights are returning to New England overnight on December 30. Whether they appear as far south as Massachusetts remains to be seen—but why not stay up late ahead of NYE to see if you can catch a glimpse?
A strong geomagnetic storm happening above Earth will contribute to glowing hues, mainly visible in northern New England, according to Boston Globe head meteorologist Ken Mahan. Caused by erupting solar material, these storms are happening with increased frequency these days, as the sun is nearing a period of peak activity within its 11-year cycle known as a solar maximum. This period is slated to continue into mid-2025, so northern lights sightings may become increasingly common in the new year.
Citing the aurora dashboard from NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, Mahan says it's unlikely that Boston and most of Massachusetts will see northern lights tonight, but “the northern edge of Massachusetts might catch a glimpse.” New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine have a better vantage point on the latest northern lights in New England. Maybe there’s still time to plan a last-minute getaway for New Year’s Eve?
To maximize your chance of seeing the aurora, go outside and look north toward the horizon between 10pm–2am. Be as far from light pollution as possible, Mahan advises. Digital cameras are better at detecting visible wavelengths than the naked eye, so point your phone at the sky to help you spot the colorful glow.
If you miss the northern lights this time? Here’s hoping for more opportunities in 2025—and maybe it’s time to finally plan that trip to Iceland, Norway or Canada.