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?:

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.

Because of pesky clouds, the D.C. area initially missed out on a rare and magical opportunity to the see the northern lights Friday night. But during the pre-dawn hours Saturday, between about 4 and 6 a.m., the skies opened up just enough for an exceptionally rare view.

FAIRHOPE, Ala. (AP) — Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas told attendees at a judicial conference Friday that he and his wife have faced “nastiness” and “lies” over the last several years and decried Washington, D.C., as a “hideous place.”

Thomas spoke at a conference attended by judges, attorneys and other court personnel in the 11th Circuit Judicial Conference, which hears federal cases from Alabama, Florida and Georgia. He made the comments pushing back on his critics in response to a question about working in a world that seems meanspirited.

“I think there’s challenges to that. We’re in a world and we — certainly my wife and I the last two or three years it’s been — just the nastiness and the lies, it’s just incredible,” Thomas said.

“But you have some choices. You don’t get to prevent people from doing horrible things or saying horrible things. But one you have to understand and accept the fact that they can’t change you unless you permit that,” Thomas said.

Thomas has faced criticisms that he took accepted luxury trips from a GOP donor without reporting them. Thomas last year maintained that he didn’t have to report the trips paid for by one of “our dearest friends.” His wife, conservative activist Ginni Thomas has faced criticism for using her Facebook page to amplify unsubstantiated claims of corruption by President Joe Biden, a Democrat.

He did not discuss the content of the criticisms directly, but said that “reckless” people in Washington will “bomb your reputation.”

“They don’t bomb you necessarily, but they bomb your reputation or your good name or your honor. And that’s not a crime. But they can do as much harm that way,” Thomas said.

During the appearance, Thomas was asked questions by U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, one of Thomas’ former law clerks who was later appointed to the federal bench. During his hour-long appearance, the longest-serving justice on the court discussed a wide range of topics including the lessons of his grandfather, his friendship with former colleagues and his belief that court writings and discussions should be more accessible for “regular people.”

Thomas, who spent most of his working life in Washington D.C., also discussed his dislike of it.

“I think what you are going to find and especially in Washington, people pride themselves on being awful. It is a hideous place as far as I’m concerned,” Thomas said. Thomas said that it is one of the reasons he and his wife “like RVing.”

“You get to be around regular people who don’t pride themselves in doing harmful things, merely because they have the capacity to do it or because they disagree,” Thomas said.

A recreational vehicle used by Thomas also became a source of controversy. Senate Democrats in October issued a report saying that most of the $267,000 loan obtained by Thomas to buy a high-end motorcoach appears to have been forgiven.

Thomas did not discuss the court’s high-profile caseload.

The justice said he believed it is important to use language in court rulings so that the law is accessible to the average person.

“The regular people I think are being disenfranchised sometimes by the way that we talk about cases,” Thomas said.

Thomas wasn’t the only justice making a speaking appearance Friday.

Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh said Friday that U.S. history shows court decisions unpopular in their time later can become part of the “fabric of American constitutional law.”

Kavanaugh spoke Friday at a conference attended by judges, attorneys and other court personnel in the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi and is one of the most conservative circuits.

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Jim Vertuno contributed to this report from Austin.