The Great Northern Lights – aurora borealis – are normally seen only in high latitudes, think Canada and a dozen northern states.
Tuesday night was not normal. A strong geomagnetic storm generated aurora in lower latitudes, including Alabama all the way to the Gulf Coast.
It was a God-given light show on Veterans Day.
Alabama skygazers were able to go outside and see some light shows with the naked eye and even more with their cell phone cameras.
“Aurora Bora Bama.”
There is a strong probability of a continuation of the Northern Lights over Alabama on Wednesday and Thursday nights.
November 11, 2025. The same day that produced record-breaking cold temperatures in the morning hours also produced record-breaking auroras in the evening hours.
The phenomenon is caused by magnetic storms on the sun.
Has it happened before in Alabama? Yes.
In May 2024, skywatchers in Alabama got to see their very first-known Northern Lights above the Yellowhammer State. Forecasts had indicated that the Northern Lights might be visible in northern Alabama. Those forecasts were inaccurate – the lights were seen all the way to Baldwin County on the Alabama Gulf Coast. For the first time in modern history, Alabama folks who walked outside saw “the Southern Lights.”
As it turned out, those 2024 light shows were not technically aurora borealis but instead a first cousin named “light pillars.”
While Northern Lights do not pose a danger to humans, animals or buildings, there is a very slight chance they could cause some interference with electrical power grids, home electrical appliances, high-frequency radio transmissions and GPS. We have received no reports of electrical interference from the auroras as this report is being written. All show, no blow.
The auroras could recur in Alabama Wednesday and Thursday nights. For those who want to photograph the night light show, here are tips from pro photographer and instructor Jimmy Reynolds Jr. of Sylacauga:
Quick aurora photography tips:
- Have a clear view towards the sunset and/or to the right of it (toward north)
- Set your phone’s camera to night mode and HOLD IT STEADY (10 seconds is more than enough)
- Shoot with a one-to-one ratio (.5 may not let enough light in)
- Try to have trees or buildings in at least part of the picture for scale & reference
- Lastly, even if you don’t see anything, try it, you might be surprised!
“There are stars in the southern sky. Southward as you go,” The Eagles sang in ‘Seven Bridges Road’ about Montgomery’s Woodley Road.
Jim Zig Zeigler is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. His beat includes the positive and colorful about Alabama – her people, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former State Auditor and Public Service Commissioner. You can reach him at [email protected]
