Northern Lights May Appear Over Put-in-Bay Tonight
A rare celestial event may light up the skies over Lake Erie tonight, Sunday, June 1, 2025. The Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis, could be visible from Put-in-Bay due to an ongoing severe geomagnetic storm.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a G4 (Severe) Geomagnetic Storm Watch for Sunday night into Monday morning. This level of storm activity is uncommon and may push the aurora further south than usual, possibly reaching northern Ohio.
What’s Happening?
A large solar flare and coronal mass ejection (CME) erupted from the sun on May 30. It’s expected to impact Earth’s magnetic field tonight, creating conditions strong enough to trigger widespread aurora activity.
During G4-level storms, the Northern Lights have reached as far south as Alabama. According to NOAA’s models, Ohio sits within the potential visibility range for tonight’s display.
Where and When to Look
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Best Viewing Time: Between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.
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Direction: Look north toward the horizon.
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Viewing Locations: Ideal spots include South Bass Island State Park and areas around Perry’s Monument, where light pollution is minimal.
If skies remain mostly clear, viewers may catch a glimpse of faint green or purple waves moving across the night sky.
Why It Matters
This type of solar storm doesn’t happen often. When it does, the chance to see the Northern Lights from Ohio is rare. In fact, most aurora sightings in the U.S. are limited to the northernmost states.
Tonight’s event creates a unique opportunity for island residents, visitors, and photographers.
Stay Updated and Get Involved
You can track real-time aurora visibility at NOAA’s Aurora Dashboard. Even if the aurora isn’t visible to the naked eye, modern smartphone cameras and long-exposure shots may still capture it.
