Massive Solar Storm Brings the Northern Lights to Dubuque County

In all my years, I have never seen the Northern lights as vibrant and beautiful as they were last night. I think this is the first time I was able to see them with the naked eye. With a cell phone the amazing green and pink really sprang to life. My family and I took a trip out of Cascade on old Farley Road to find a nice dark spot for some photos. It was totally worth it, make sure to check the photos out through the article.

It's not like we needed to trip out of town for the lights last night. I could see them just over my neighbor's house. By the way, you can take that same opportunity tonight, if you missed out on some epic shots last night. But wait, why exactly are we seeing the Northern lights in Iowa of all places? Is it normal? And what exactly are the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis?

Normally, the Northern Lights stay closer to the North Pole. You know, places like Alaska, Canada, or Scandinavia. They’re usually a high-latitude phenomenon because that’s where Earth’s magnetic field funnels solar particles into the atmosphere most efficiently. But every so often, the Sun sends a big burst of charged particles toward Earth, known as a solar storm.

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When this happens, these particles slam into our magnetic field and create geomagnetic disturbances that can push the aurora “oval” much farther south than usual. That’s why last night and tonight, Iowa was/is lucky enough to get a front-row seat.

So, what are we actually seeing? The lights themselves are caused when those energetic solar particles collide with gases in the upper atmosphere, mostly oxygen and nitrogen. These collisions create the shimmering colors we see in the sky. Green is the most common, pink and red show up when the particles hit different layers or types of gases, and sometimes you can even see hints of purple. It’s like the sky is performing its own silent, mesmerizing fireworks show. If you've never seen it, it is amazing to witness.

If you missed the spectacle last night, don’t worry. The G4 geomagnetic storm is still active tonight, meaning the Northern Lights will likely appear again. To catch them, head to a dark, open spot away from city lights, look toward the northern horizon, and give your eyes a few minutes to adjust. Whether you snap photos (use a newer phone to see them really pop) or just watch the dance of colors with your own eyes, it’s an unforgettable show of nature’s magic. It's also one that Iowa rarely gets to see, so enjoy it.

Here are some great places to get a good view!