‘Severe’ geomagnetic storm watch could mean Northern Lights over Seattle Monday
Scott Sistek 
Northern Lights over Snohomish County on May 10, 2024. (Photo: Scott Sistek)
There’s a decent chance the Northern Lights may come out Monday night — and the skies will actually somewhat cooperate!
The sun has let loose a strong “coronal mass ejection” (CME) as part of a recent solar flare, and the results are promising to trigger the aurora.
NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a Level 4 Geomagnetic Storm Watch on their 5-point scale, and the timing couldn’t be much better. Winter is prime time because the nights are longer so you’ve got several hours of darkness to catch the display. Usually timing that with clear skies is futile but we’ve lucked into a rare stretch of clear weather so— cross fingers!
An S4 severe solar radiation storm is now in progress – this is the largest solar radiation storm in over 20 years. The last time S4 levels were observed was in October, 2003. Potential effects are mainly limited to space launch, aviation, and satellite operations. pic.twitter.com/kCjHj4XYzB
— NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) January 19, 2026
The CME is scheduled to arrive Monday evening – it may be a skosh early here and arrive before sunset, but since it’s solid dark by 6 p.m. I think we’ll still be in the storm if the timing holds.
HOW GOOD COULD THE DISPLAY BE?
A Level 4 storm, if it reaches that intensity, would be on the rarer side here. NOAA calls that “severe” levels — just one rung below the “extreme” Level 5.
For comparison, that epic sighting we had on May 10, 2024 where sightings were overhead in Seattle and visible in the Caribbean was a Level 5 storm. But level 4 storms would still be a decent display around here if it verifies.
HOW CAN I SEE THEM?
The best bets are to find a place with flat northern horizon away from city lights, especially any city lights to your north.
The Cascades are a good spot but just getting out into the foothills or far suburbs would work. The displays ebb and flow so what may be a dud at one moment could suddenly burst into a spectacular show 30 minutes later, so it takes some patience.
HOW COME IT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE THE PICTURES I SEE ONLINE WHEN I LOOK UP?
Be sure to bring along your phone or a camera. Your camera lens will pick up the colors much more vividly than your eyes, which are not as sensitive to color in the darkness. But most modern day phone cameras are good enough to see them.
The photos I’ve posted here are mine from the 2014 event but simply off my iPhone camera set on a 3 second exposure. Just have a way to hold the phone still.
WHAT’S THE WEATHER LOOK LIKE?
Well, it certainly won’t rain! There may be some mid-level clouds floating around this evening but all in all should be good for Western Washington and the Cascades. Fog should be somewhat limited too in the evening. Just be ready for temps to quickly drop once the sun sets.
HOWEVER, DO NOT GO TO EASTERN WASHINGTON (Sorry, East WA!)
Usually Northern Lights enthusiasts know to head into central or eastern Washington to dodge the city lights and get great aurora displays, but just about everywhere east of the Cascades is still stuck in the winter fog soup.
If you go out aurora hunting, best of luck!