Washington, D.C

Northern lights forecast for DC, MD, VA: Will we see the aurora again Saturday?

Published

2 years ago

May 11, 2024

Press Room

Northern lights forecast for DC, MD, VA: Will we see the aurora again Saturday?

Virginia sees rare glimpse of Northern Lights

The aurora borealis was visible from higher elevation in parts of Virginia Thursday night.

WASHINGTON – The northern lights are visible to millions in the U.S. this weekend – including some near the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia regions.

Several individuals across the region said they witnessed purple and green skies early Saturday morning.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a rare Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watch beginning Friday and lasting all weekend. It was later upgraded to an Extreme (G5) Geomagnetic Storm as it reached Earth. The watch was the first of its kind issued in nearly 20 years.

The effects of the storm were expected to possibly disrupt power stations, electrical lines, state spacecraft operations and various areas of communication. It poses a risk for high-voltage transmission lines for power grids. So far, according to the Associated Press, there have been no immediate reports of disruptions to power and communications.

Could we see the aurora again Saturday?:

Northern lights aurora borealis forecast for DC, MD & VA for tonight and tomorrow night; G4 Severe Geomagnetic Storm Watch issued (NOAA)

FOX 5’s Gwen Tolbart says as far as seeing the lights in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia areas, we are expecting clouds, rain and possibly a rumble of thunder early this evening.

After the clouds and rain clear out, we could have a chance of seeing something, but it would more than likely be early Sunday morning, but all depending on how much clearing we actually get. It seems more likely towards the Pennsylvania and Maryland border, according to NOAA’s forecast for tonight and tomorrow.

The D.C., Maryland and Virginia Metro areas now have 73% – 67% cloud coverage forecast from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., more than 60% from 3 a.m. – 4 a.m., and an average of 56% to 57% from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. All of these periods also have the chance of some showers.

NOAA suggests if the skies are clear, use the camera on your cell phone, as the newer cameras are more sensitive and able to capture more than the naked eye.

Northern lights forecast:

According to NOAA, a large sunspot cluster has produced several moderate to strong solar flares since Wednesday. NOAA says the extreme geomagnetic storm continues and will remain in effect through at least Sunday.

There is currently a threat of additional strong flares and CMEs will remain until the large and magnetically complex sunspot cluster rotates out of view, according to NOAA.

FOX 5’s Tucker Barnes says their forecast, in addition to the likelihood of rain and clouds in the area through the weekend, will lower the chances of seeing the northern lights in our region.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Washington, D.C

Texas man indicted in shooting near Washington Monument that left bystander hurt

Published

3 hours ago

May 30, 2026

Press Room

Texas man indicted in shooting near Washington Monument that left bystander hurt

WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — A Texas man accused of shooting at a United States Secret Service agent near the Washington Monument earlier this month has been indicted on federal charges, the Justice Department announced Friday.

A federal grand jury indicted 45-year-old Michael Marx with “assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon” and “using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence,” in connection with the May 4 incident, in which a stray bullet struck a teenage bystander.

“Today’s indictment reflects the gravity of the defendant’s actions on one of the most heavily visited public spaces in the nation,” U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said Friday, in part. “The evidence shows Marx not only carried an illegal firearm into DC, but he fired it at uniformed officers, wounding an innocent teenage bystander who was simply visiting the National Mall with his family on a spring afternoon.”

Authorities previously charged Marx with assaulting federal officers with a dangerous weapon, using and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to court documents, an undercover Secret Service agent initially noticed Marx trying to conceal a gun on the right side of his body near 15th Street and Madison Drive NW shortly after 3:30 p.m. on the afternoon of the shooting.

At the same time, the motorcade for Vice President J.D. Vance was leaving the White House, passing through the area just up the street.

Uniformed Secret Service officers arrived to provide backup, finding Marx along the path of Vance’s motorcade. The attorney’s office said officers began to give the Texas man verbal commands, but he started running through a crosswalk and eventually fired at one of the agents as he reached the sidewalk.

The bullet struck the teenage bystander, who was walking behind the agent, in the leg, according to the DOJ.

Agents quickly returned fire, striking Marx in the hand, left arm, and upper body, according to court documents.

Court documents state that agents used Marx’s Texas driver’s license, which he was carrying, to identify him as the gunman. Investigators also identified various aliases Marx allegedly went by, including Patrick Michael and Michael Zavici.

While in the hospital, he allegedly made statements to officers, including ”F— the White House,” and “kill me, kill me, kill me,” the DOJ noted in a release.

Police found a Sig Sauer P365 handgun loaded with 9mm ammunition from the street where Marx fell.

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Washington, D.C

Storm Team4 Forecast: May ends with sunshine and clear skies

Published

13 hours ago

May 30, 2026

Press Room

Storm Team4 Forecast: May ends with sunshine and clear skies

4 things to know about the weather:

Abundant sunshine
Temps slightly cooler than average
No rain in sight — again
Mid-week warmup

May is drawing to a dry, comfortable close, in stunning contrast to the very soggy Memorial Day weather we saw last weekend.

That 10-day stretch of rain put a definite dent in our drought, according to the weekly national drought monitor, but it seems that was the end of the improvement for a while: There’s almost no clouds in sight for the DMV for several days.

Enjoy the many hours of sunshine on Saturday. The high pressure coming in from the Hudson Bay brings a stiff north wind, but the day will also be sunny and comfortable, with highs in the mid 70s.

Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.

The wind will die down after dark, and Sunday morning will be bordering on chilly. Expect widespread mid/upper 40s in most of the D.C. area, with urban centers and bayside communities staying just above 50°. Sunday afternoon will be just a bit warmer, in the mid 70s, but with far less of a breeze.

Highs will be back around 80° for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with overnight lows in the comfy 50s. It’ll be a perfect start to meteorological summer (June/July/August).