Charlotte may see northern lights again soon. Here’s when to look up
If you missed the dazzling northern lights show in Charlotte Tuesday night, you may have another opportunity to see them again.
The lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are an “eruption of solar material,” The Charlotte Observer previously reported.
We see the colors when electrons crash into the upper atmosphere, creating lights that can appear anywhere from 50 to 300 miles above us. While NOAA notes that these lights are up in space every day, they’re usually not visible this far south.
Here’s what you need to know.
Northern lights Charlotte
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center says another solar storm is headed our way Wednesday, Nov. 12. In North Carolina, it’s expected to peak around midday when the sun is out and bright. If the storm conditions stick around into the evening, there’s a chance we could catch another glimpse of the northern lights.
However, the stronger the geomagnetic activity, the more intense the aurora and the farther south in the Northern Hemisphere it can be seen, The News & Observer previously reported.
NOAA has an experimental aurora forecast it updates daily and there are smartphone apps that estimate the chance of seeing aurora based on your location. People have reported seeing northern lights even when forecasts show a low chance.
Northern lights viewing tips
For the best view of the northern lights, the NOAA suggests finding a clear, unobstructed view of the sky away from any light pollution. You can use this light pollution map to find a clear view of the sky in your area.
Assuming the lights are still visible, the NOAA recommends catching a glimpse of them within an hour or two of midnight, when the best view will happen.
Charlotte nighttime sky forecast
Skies in the Charlotte area are expected to be mostly clear Wednesday night, with a low of around 40 degrees, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.
This story was originally published November 12, 2025 at 10:45 AM.
