The northern lights might be visible over parts of Massachusetts again Wednesday night due to a severe geomagnetic storm. But, the chances of seeing them will not be as great as Tuesday night when they were spotted across the state.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said G4 storm levels were reached after recent coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, from the sun. G5 is the highest and considered extreme.

The geomagnetic storms can cause disruptions to communication infrastructure. According to NOAA, possible technology effects from G4 conditions include voltage control problems and anomalies to satellite operations.

The display Tuesday night was the biggest outbreak since October 2024, when a dazzling northern lights show was seen across New England. 

"Moderate chance" of seeing northern lights Wednesday

According to WBZ-TV executive weather producer Terry Eliasen, there's a "moderate chance" of seeing the northern lights again Wednesday night.

He added that there's a better chance of seeing them in central and northern New England.

"There is a good chance of clouds tonight as well. Put it all together and I would say sure there is a chance tonight but significantly lower than last. The peak seems to have passed," Eliasen said.

How to see the auroras 

To increase your odds of seeing the northern lights, find an area with the least amount of artificial light and a wide-open view of the sky and horizon. Despite the light pollution, the northern lights were visible in Boston in Tuesday night. 

There has been a surge in northern lights activity in the past year as the sun has been in a period of solar maximum during its 11-year solar cycle. 

Space Weather Prediction Center forecast coordinator Shawn Dahl told WBZ-TV last year that the ramped-up auroras could continue into 2026.

What causes the northern lights?

An aurora borealis occurs when large and dense solar ejections collide with the molecules in the Earth's upper atmosphere. Earth's magnetic field causes the particles to be largely re-routed toward the poles, which is why it is more typical to see the northern lights that farther north you live. 

When there are large ejections and strong geomagnetic storms the lights can be visible farther south.