On the evening of Tuesday, November 11, 2025 between 10 p.m. and 2 p.m. local time, a rare celestial event took place in Maryland, people across the state witnessed the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis. People as far south as the Mid-Atlantic could see this beautiful nature show. This is an unusual event that happened because the sun was having more activity, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These set off a geomagnetic storm that reached Maryland and made the sky in the north look pink and green. Places like Carney, Abingdon, Mount Airy, Bel Air, and Middle River were able to see the whole show. People in these areas shared stunning pictures of the event, which lit up the sky in a unique and amazing show.
Why Was This Event So Special?
People usually see the Northern Lights in places that are high up, like Alaska, Scandinavia, and Canada. Solar flares and CMEs caused a geomagnetic storm that drove the aurora much south more than usual. The Kp-index, which measures geomagnetic activity, was high enough to see the aurora in Maryland. There were surprised stargazers in the area who got to see the Northern Lights without having to drive to the Arctic Circle.
What’s Next? When Can We See the Aurora Again?
If you missed the Northern Lights on Tuesday, November 11, there is still a chance to see them tonight, Wednesday November 12, 2025. The geomagnetic storm that caused the aurora on November 11 is still active, so you can expect another beautiful show tonight!
After dark, between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. (in Annapolis Maryland), is the best time to see the Northern Lights. The sky will be the darkest during these hours, making it the best time to see the aurora.
In addition to tonight’s chance, solar activity happens on an 11-year schedule. When solar activity is high, geomagnetic storms happen more often, which lets people see the Northern Lights from farther south. Tonight is a great chance to see the aurora, but there may be more in the weeks to come, especially when there are strong solar flares and CMEs that mess up the Earth’s magnetic field.
Space weather news and the northern lights forecaster are good ways to stay up to date. You can get a 30-minute northern lights forecast from the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center to help you figure out when will there be northern lights.
Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Maryland
For those who want to see the aurora again, these are the best places to see northern lights in Annapolis Maryland:
- Carney, Baltimore County: When you get away from the city lights, Carney has clear skies and a great view of the north horizon.
- Abingdon, Harford County: Abingdon has a lot of open areas that make it easy to see the aurora without too much light pollution.
- Mount Airy, Carroll/Montgomery County Border: Mount Airy’s higher ground gives you a clear view of the northern sky, making it a great place to see the aurora.
- Bel Air, Harford County: The best place to see the Northern Lights is in a mix of city and rural areas with few other lights in the area.
Viewing Tips for the Next Aurora
Keep these tips in mind to get the most out of your northern light viewing:
- Best Viewing Time: Between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.
- Ideal Locations: Get away from city lights and find a dark, rural place with little to no light pollution.
- Look North: If you want to see the aurora best, make sure you face north. It will be visible as you look north.
- Dress Warmly: Maryland nights in November can get cold, with temps dropping into the 30s and 40s.
- Check the Forecast: To improve your chances of seeing the aurora, check solar activity predictions and the Kp-index before you go outside.
Final Thoughts
If you missed this show, do not worry, there may be more auroras in the future, and based on the sun’s activity, Maryland may see more in the next few weeks. Make sure you are ready and check for information on the space weather often. The Northern Lights are a beautiful and rare natural event, and seeing them in Maryland is one of a kind. Watch out for the sky with Zavros Place!