Lauren Rivera 
On the night of October 10th, 2024, Hoboken and Jersey City locals flocked outside to see a colorful array of lights in the sky, and we’re not talking about the Empire State Building. This vibrant celestial phenomenon, known as the Northern Lights, is most commonly associated with Scandinavian countries like Iceland, Norway, and Finland. Still, on April 5th, April 8th, and April 9th, the lights may once again be visible to Hudson County locals. Read on for what to know about the Northern Lights making a make a return to Hudson County’s night sky this spring.
Photo Credit: Jordan + Joelle Hernandez
The Details
According to Patch, the Aurora app has forecasted that the Kp, an indicator of auroral intensity, could be as high as 6 on April 5th, April 8th, and April 9th. The National Oceanic + Atmospheric Association (NOAA) explains that a Kp of 6 means the aurora moves further away from the poles, making it “quite bright and active,” even in the northern parts of the United States. With spring equinox also being one of the best seasons to see the Northern Lights, the perfect conditions may have just been set to see the cotton candy-colored spectacle in Hoboken and Jersey City for a second time.
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The Space Weather Prediction Center has a 27-day forecast put out once a week. The most recent forecast, which was issued on March 24th, predicts that peak visibility may occur during the early morning hours on April 5th. As per Patch, moonlight may interfere with our visibility during the nights of April 7th to April 8th, but it’s too soon to tell, as the forecast is most accurate within 72 hours of the predicated dates.
When + Where to See the Northern Lights?
Photo Credit Mary Lessard
Those looking to catch of glimpse of this phenomenon, which is usually caused by geomagnetic activity or geomagnetic storms, should peak outside between 10PM and 2AM, as per the NOAA. The NOAA also says that viewers should look north towards the pole, preferably at a higher vantage point, and away from city lights.
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