Nebraska
Alabama Joins Ohio, North Carolina, Kansas, Nebraska, Washington and More US States to Prepare for Super Cosmic Northern Light Show, Turbocharging Astro Tourism in America, Full Guide on Aurora Borealis Visibility – Travel And Tour World
Published on
January 20, 2026
By: Tuhin Sarkar
Get ready for the most breathtaking celestial event to hit the United States in years! Alabama has joined the ranks of Ohio, North Carolina, Kansas, Nebraska, Washington, and more U.S. states, as they prepare for an extraordinary northern light show this Monday night. This rare phenomenon is turbocharging astro tourism in America as Aurora Borealis makes its way farther south than ever before.
Super cosmic displays of northern lights are set to illuminate the sky, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience for skywatchers across the country. From Alabama to Washington, the chance to see the aurora borealis is finally within reach for thousands who have never experienced this stunning natural light show.
The intensity of this aurora display is expected to astonish viewers, especially with the sun’s recent powerful eruption, setting the stage for a dazzling show in the winter sky. This event promises to be the ultimate cosmic spectacle, drawing astro tourism enthusiasts from every corner of the U.S. Get ready to witness the northern lights like never before, with full visibility across several states—keep reading to find out how and where you can experience this mesmerizing show firsthand!
Breathtaking Northern Lights to Light Up the Sky: Will You See the Aurora on Monday Night?
Get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle! The northern lights are expected to dance across the sky like never before, as a powerful solar eruption sends a cloud of charged particles racing toward Earth. For the first time in months, Aurora Borealis is forecast to be visible as far south as Alabama and Northern California, lighting up the night in an extraordinary display. If you’ve always dreamed of witnessing this mesmerizing natural wonder, Monday night, January 21, 2026, is your chance to catch the aurora as it flares to life across dozens of U.S. states. The question is, will you be able to see it in all its glory? Stay tuned as we break down the phenomenal northern lights forecast and how to prepare for this awe-inspiring cosmic event.
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With the geomagnetic storm expected to reach level 4 out of 5, the event promises to be a powerful spectacle, and the lights could be seen even farther south than usual. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the northern lights phenomenon as they make their way across the country!
How the Sun’s Explosive Eruption Will Create the Biggest Aurora Display in Months!
It all started with a solar eruption that happened on Sunday, releasing a coronal mass ejection (CME), a cloud of charged particles, toward our planet. This eruption is set to hit Earth on Monday night or early Tuesday, triggering dazzling displays of the northern lights across regions that rarely witness the aurora. According to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, this geomagnetic storm will reach level 4 out of 5, classified as “severe.” With this level of intensity, even people in areas far south of the usual aurora zone—like Alabama and Northern California—could get a glimpse of the lights.
This is huge news for anyone in the lower 48 states, as this kind of aurora display is typically limited to the northernmost regions. The powerful solar flare means that more people than ever before will have the chance to witness this stunning celestial event. Will you be one of them? The lights could be faint, but cameras might still capture the magical glow if you’re far south. It’s time to prepare for a visual extravaganza in the sky that is expected to leave you breathless!
Where to See the Northern Lights: A Guide for U.S. Viewers!
If you live in the Northern U.S., your chances of seeing a spectacular aurora display are significantly higher. Areas like Ohio Valley, Kansas, Nebraska, and parts of the Rocky Mountains will have the best viewing conditions. Clear skies will play a crucial role in whether or not you can see the aurora with your naked eye. If you’re lucky enough to find clear skies in the forecast, get ready for a jaw-dropping experience! But even in the southern U.S., where the lights are less visible, you may still be able to capture the aurora on camera as it faintly glows in the distance.
For those in the lower U.S., where the aurora may be harder to spot, keep your cameras ready. Though the aurora may only be a faint glow near the horizon, technology can capture the beauty that the human eye might miss. Don’t forget to dress warmly—this will be a cold night for skywatchers as temperatures are expected to dip well below freezing across most of the country. Bundle up and get ready for a night you won’t soon forget!
The Perfect Timing: When and Where to Catch the Best Aurora Viewing!
Timing is everything when it comes to catching the northern lights. The geomagnetic storm is forecast to peak around Monday night, with the lights being most visible in the hours after sunset. So, if you’re in the southern U.S., you’ll need to stay up late, as the aurora will likely appear around 10 p.m. to midnight local time. If you’re in the north or Canada, the aurora will appear earlier in the evening, possibly stretching higher into the sky during stronger bursts.
Keep in mind that cloud cover will be the biggest factor in whether you’ll get to see the aurora. Clear skies in Ohio Valley and the Rocky Mountains are predicted to offer the best views. If you’re in the Midwest or the Dakotas, clouds may limit visibility. So, check the weather and find the best spots with clear skies. Dress warmly, grab your camera, and head to an open space where there are no streetlights to block your view.
What You Need to Know About the Solar Storm: A Cosmic Event Like No Other
While the northern lights are the highlight of the event, there is more to this solar storm than meets the eye. The radiation storm caused by the solar flare is the strongest since 2003, and it could have significant effects on satellite communications and aviation. Astronauts on the International Space Station will be exposed to higher radiation levels during this event. Similarly, passengers on flights that pass over the polar regions could experience increased radiation exposure. The solar storm also raises concerns about the electrical grid, although it’s unlikely to cause widespread damage.
Despite these potential effects, the northern lights remain one of nature’s most awe-inspiring phenomena. The solar flare has created the perfect conditions for a spectacular light show that could be visible in places that would usually never see it. Prepare yourself for a stunning cosmic event that will be remembered for years to come!
Nebraska
Hail, rain, snow move into eastern Nebraska, western Iowa
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – An active weather pattern is moving into the region starting tonight, bringing some snow into the region, according to KTIV’s forecast in Sioux City.
A First Alert 6 viewer sent footage of the storms while traveling on Interstate 80 near West Branch, Iowa.
TUESDAY NIGHT
In Siouxland, a batch of precipitation moves in after midnight. It could initially start as rain, but most of the precipitation will fall as snow. Snow showers will likely last through sunrise on Wednesday morning.
The snow will stay light with accumulations near an inch or less. This could create some slick spots on the Wednesday morning commute. Temperatures will probably fall a bit below the freezing mark.
Copyright 2026 WOWT. All rights reserved.
Nebraska
Shelter in place issued after suspicious object found in mailbox
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — UPDATE: Grand Island Police said around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday that the shelter in place order has been lifted .
GIPD said the item was retrieved by the Nebraska State Patrol Bomb Squad, who is investigating.
The area has also now been reopened.
ORIGINAL STORY:
The Grand Island Police Department has cordoned off a local block and is urging residents to shelter in place.
According to GIPD, officers responded to the 4300 block of Sherwood Road just before 2:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. A resident reported finding a suspicious cylindrical object wrapped in duct tape inside a home.
The Nebraska State Patrol Bomb Squad has been called to the scene to investigate the device.
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Nebraska
68 students chosen as Nebraska Young Artist Award winners
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts has announced the winners of the 29th annual Nebraska Young Artist Awards.
The awards recognize 11th-grade students from Nebraska for their talents in visual art, dance, music, theatre, and film and emerging media arts.
Sixty-eight students from more than 40 high schools across the state have been selected as award winners and will be invited to a day of activities on campus March 25.
“Our faculty always look forward to this event,” said Chris Watson, director of recruitment for the college and coordinator of the awards. “They love meeting enthusiastic young artists, working with them and celebrating their talent.”
Students applied for the recognition and submitted an example of their work. Applications were received from 92 students. Hixson-Lied College faculty chose the winners.
Award winners were also asked to nominate the teacher who provided them with the greatest amount of mentoring and support in the development of their special talents.
Each student will receive a certificate and an original piece of artwork commissioned for the event and created by a School of Art, Art History and Design student.
Following is a list of award winners by hometown, with their high school and specialty area(s).
Aurora:
- Calvin Miller, Aurora, music
Beaver City:
- Johnathan Eakin, Southern Valley, visual arts
Bellevue:
- Mami Lloyd, Bellevue West, music
Bennington:
- Liliana Martic, Bennington, music
Eagle:
- Jorie Goings, Waverly, dance
Firth:
- Petra Van Cleave, home school, music
Fremont:
- Xavier Herre, Bergan Catholic, theatre
Fullerton:
- Lylla Sabata, Fullerton, music
Gretna:
- Lillian Bock, Gretna, music
Harvard:
- Allee Jarzynka, Harvard, music
Hendley:
- Lily Jordan, Southern Valley, visual arts
Hooper:
- Leo Arellano, Logan View, visual arts
- Ellsie Meier, Logan View, visual arts
Kearney:
- Kruz Flamig, Kearney, visual arts
- Isaac Hooton, Kearney, visual arts
- Mariah Kaslon, Kearney, visual arts
- Landen Tilley, Kearney, visual arts
Lincoln:
- Alissa Brenning, Norris, dance
- Kali Brewer, Lincoln Southeast, visual arts
- Ava Engel, Lincoln Northeast, dance
- Emalie Fischer, Lincoln North Star, dance
- Adelyn Haden, Lincoln Standing Bear, dance and music
- Audrey Haugen, Lincoln Southwest, theatre
- Andrea Hu, Lincoln East, music
- Logan Lambrecht, Lincoln Southwest, music and theatre
- Mckinzey Lile, Lincoln North Star, dance
- Hayley Marshall, Lincoln Southwest, dance
- Riley Minster, Lincoln East, music
- Joslyn Morgan, Lincoln Southeast, music
- Ariadne Ottoson, home school, music
- Megan Plander, Lincoln Lutheran, theatre
- Lauren Ramey, LPS Arts and Humanities Focus Program, visual arts
- Blake Semrad, Lincoln Southwest, dance
- Emma Shaeffer, Lincoln Southwest, dance
- Taylor Sharpe, Lincoln Southwest, dance
- Hugh Skretta, Lincoln High, music
- Samuel Sulzle, Lincoln Northwest, music
- Brooks Xia, Lincoln East, music
Martell:
- Reese Thomas, home school, music
Norfolk:
- Noah Asbury, Norfolk, music
- Emily Henkel, Norfolk, music; Nathan Kaiser, Norfolk, music
- North Platte: Brett Pfeifer, North Platte, theatre
Omaha:
- Asher Abuhl, Trinity Classical Academy, music
- Adam Campagna, Omaha South, film and emerging media arts
- Liam Cowherd Richardson, Creighton Preparatory, music
- Regina Ho, Millard South, film and emerging media arts
- Connor Holmstedt, Fort Calhoun, music
- Kara Leininger, Duchesne Academy, music
- Jayden Li, Millard North, music; Violet Little, Omaha Central, dance
- Mrethi Magesh, Millard North, dance
- Venkatesan Marichamy, Millard North, dance
- Moyra Matthews, Duchesne Academy, dance and music
- Jackson Mu, Millard North, music
- Gauri Nair, Millard North, dance
- Angela Qi, Millard North, music
- Jackson Ramsey, Gretna East, music
- Tara Richardson, Creighton Prep, music
- Vandana Santhanam, Marian, music
- Caroline Soderlin, Millard North, music
- Akshara Venkatesan, Millard North, dance
- Caleigh Walkenhorst, Millard West, music
Osmond:
- Donovan Heiman, Osmond, theatre
Papillion:
- Emelia Weaver, Papillion-La Vista, music
Pierce:
- Spencer Sindt, Pierce, music
Randolph:
- Brecken Shearer, Randolph, visual arts
York:
- Allison Holmes, York, visual arts
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