NEW YORK — A stunning celestial display is expected as solar storms may bring the northern lights to several northern U.S. states just in time for New Year’s Eve. According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), two bursts of plasma from the sun are racing towards Earth and are anticipated to arrive early this week.

Once these solar storms hit, they could spark colorful auroras on Monday and Tuesday nights in Alaska, Washington, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. Residents of parts of Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Iowa, and New York may also witness the stunning light show.

NOAA space weather forecaster Shawn Dahl indicated that the early morning hours of Tuesday, while it’s still dark, should provide the best opportunities to catch this remarkable display. Updated weather forecasts will be available as the event nears on the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center website and through various aurora forecasting apps.

To fully enjoy the encounter, enthusiasts should look for clear skies after sunset and venture outdoors, preferably in areas away from urban lighting. To capture the auroras, a smartphone camera might reveal aspects of the light show that are not visible to the naked eye.

The phenomenon comes at a time when the sun is at the peak of its 11-year solar cycle, resulting in more frequent solar flares and northern lights. This active period is projected to remain for at least another year, although the exact timing for peak solar activity will only become clear after months have passed.

Currently, NOAA is diligent in monitoring these solar storms, which may cause minor disruptions to high-frequency radio communications crucial for airlines and amateur radio operators. Earlier this year, NOAA had issued a rare severe geomagnetic storm warning, leading to impressive light displays across the Northern Hemisphere in May, and a powerful solar storm in October dazzled observers much farther from the Arctic Circle, with reports of auroras appearing in unexpected locales such as Germany and New York City.