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Northern lights may be visible in New York for one more night Monday. See the map of where to watch.

Monday marks last chance to view northern lights without having to travel too far
Monday marks last chance to view northern lights without having to travel too far 01:37

NEW YORK -- New Yorkers have one more chance to see the northern lights dazzle the night sky.

Monday will be the last night to see the aurora borealis, which first appeared Friday when the strongest geomagnetic storm in more than 20 years reached Earth.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said early Monday the G5 storm had been downgraded to a G3, but moderate to strong geomagnetic storms are still likely Monday, followed by minor storms Tuesday. 

Where to see the northern lights tonight in New York

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CBS New York

While upstate New York and other parts of the U.S. saw the light show Friday night, most of New York City and its suburbs missed out. 

Light pollution will continue to be a challenge near the city Monday, but the sky is expected to be clearer with fewer clouds. 

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CBS New York

Places farther north, like Dutchess, Sullivan and Ulster counties, will have the best chance of visibility. 

CBS New York's Vanessa Murdock recommends finding an open field or a flat area with a clear view of the horizon.

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CBS New York

Friday night, the G5 storm recorded a Kp index of 8 -- the highest to hit the region in more than 20 years. The G3 storm now has a Kp index of 7 upstate.

Amateur photographers speak of the dazzling celestial show

Mike Mazzuca has a fancy digital camera he uses to capture amazing landscape and wildlife shots, but Friday he drove to Ulster from his home in Dutchess and used his smartphone to get images of the northern lights.

"The purple-red color, the way it just painted the sky, it was very magical. It felt heavenly. I thanked God. I am religious, and I said thank you for letting me witness this," Mazzuca said. "The northern lights ... you've witnessed something very special."

Arthur Scrima, another photography enthusiast, took colorful captures of the lights from his Orange County backyard.

"It started to appear 360 degrees around the sky," said Scrima, who also documented the solar eclipse back in April. "Went off my porch. My parents were with me, too, taking photos, showing each other. An awesome thing to bring my family together as well."

New Yorkers share northern lights photos

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Viewer Beth Erickson shared this photo of the northern lights visible in Stormville, New York. Beth Erickson
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Viewer Dina Astras shared this photo of the northern lights visible in Chester, New York. Dina Astras
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Viewer Michael Creed shared this photo of the northern lights visible in Sag Harbor, New York. Michael Creed
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Viewer Debra Harvey shared this photo of the northern lights visible in Sag Harbor, New York. Debra Harvey

Northern Lights in New Jersey & Connecticut

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Viewer Rajat Mahadevan shared this photo of the northern lights visible in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey. Rajat Mahadevan
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Viewer Ryland Edwards shared this photo of the northern lights visible in Sandy Hook, Connecticut. Ryland Edwards

See more photos of the northern lights around the world here, and stick with CBS New York's First Alert Weather team for the latest forecast as tonight's viewing approaches.

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