Northern lights dazzle skies over New York and New Jersey. See the stunning images.
NEW YORK -- The northern lights, or aurora borealis, put on a show over New York and New Jersey overnight, as forecasters watched for a potentially severe geomagnetic storm.
Photos show the sky lit up pink and purple across the northeast, even for some viewers in New York City.
Will the northern lights be visible again tonight?
The city's light pollution is often an obstacle to seeing the northern lights, but experts recommend finding a flat area with a clear view of the horizon. The best viewing times are typically from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Fortunately, the forecast was pretty clear Thursday into Friday. However, our First Alert Weather team says we're unlikely to have an encore of the show Friday night.
Not to worry though, it's a big month to keep an eye on the skies. The next supermoon is coming up Oct. 16 into 17 and the Orionids meteor shower peaks around Oct. 20 and 21.
The New York State Parks Department says Long Island parks will stay open late Friday night for those hoping to catch a glimpse. The following parks will have extended hours:
- Jones Beach State Park - West End 2 (west parking lot)
- Sunken Meadow State Park - Field 3
- Montauk Point State Park - Upper Parking Lot
- Wildwood State Park – Main Parking Lot
- Orient Beach State Park – Main Parking Lot
- Hallock State Park Preserve
What is a geomagnetic storm?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center issued a geomagnetic storm watch for the G4 storm, the second-highest classification.
"A fast CME erupted from the Sun the evening of 8 Oct and is likely to arrive at Earth on 10 Oct. This CME has been analyzed and there is potential to reach G4 levels upon arrival and throughout CME passage," the SWPC posted on social media.
New York City's Office of Emergency Management said it was monitoring the situation and potential impacts to infrastructure.
"These storms can disrupt our planet's magnetic field, leading to potential interference with radio communications, satellite functionality, and in some cases, power grid stability," OEM posted online.
Officials said power outages were unlikely, but in the event of an problem, make sure to stock up on:
- Flashlights and batteries
- One gallon of water per person, per day
- Non-perishable snacks
New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for the city's Notify NYC alerts for real-time updates.
Earlier this year, NOAA said an "extreme" G5 storm reached Earth, and officials also warned the power grid or communication systems could be impacted.
Stick with CBS News New York for the local viewing forecast. For live maps, see NOAA's aurora forecast model here.