A severe geomagnetic storm, triggered by a solar coronal mass ejection, lit up the skies with auroras borealis in Mexico and the northern hemisphere on November 11, 2025. Images of green and purple colors were captured in states like Zacatecas and Nuevo León, while in the United States they were seen in Colorado and Kansas. UNAM and NOAA experts indicate that effects will continue more faintly on November 12 and possibly on the 13th.
The geomagnetic storm began impulsively around 18:00 on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, Mexico City time, reaching maximum intensity until 21:00, according to Mexico's Space Weather Service (SCIESMEX) at UNAM. It originated from a coronal mass ejection (CME) following an X1.2 flare on November 10, and did not reach the intensity of the May 10, 2024 event.
Auroras borealis became visible at low latitudes, including northern and central Mexico. Residents of Zacatecas and Nuevo León shared photos of skies painted in green and purple. In the United States, initial images came from Colorado, such as Eldorado Canyon State Park with red skies and green and yellow flashes, and from Kansas and Alaska. NOAA classified the storm as severe (G4 level on a 1-5 scale), with effects on Earth's magnetosphere lasting hours or days.
SCIESMEX detected perturbations in the upper atmosphere above 60 km, especially in southern Mexico (Chiapas, Guerrero, and Oaxaca), with possible moderate variations in GNSS navigation systems and HF radio communications. An increase in solar energetic particles and a decrease in cosmic rays were also recorded. There are no risks to human health.
For November 12, fainter effects are expected, but a new CME could arrive by midday, intensifying the storm and allowing auroras in dark areas of northern and central Mexico. The Astronomical Society of Nuevo León noted that such events are predictable only two hours in advance, recommending monitoring via NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. SCIESMEX coordinates with entities like NOAA and ESA, issuing bulletins if necessary.
