In the course of a couple days in Fairbanks, stunning light pillars were visible, followed by a rare red aurora.

Temperatures fell to -29.5°C in Vuotso, Sodankylä, the coldest reading so far this winter in Finland. Other Lapland sites also saw severe cold, and November is running much colder than normal.

Light pillars were recently observed over Dudinka, formed by light reflecting off tiny, horizontally oriented hexagonal ice crystals in very cold, calm, clear conditions. The observation was made at about −28°C.

A vivid red aurora was photographed over Selfoss around 2 a.m., a rare display caused by oxygen emissions high in the atmosphere. Photos also showed green fringes, with purple and pink hues possible when nitrogen is involved.

Bright aurora borealis displays lit up the sky over Juneau, Alaska, on Nov. 12, 2025, following a series of solar flares. Residents gathered at dark locations near Mendenhall Glacier and Lake to watch the northern lights.

A rare series of powerful X-class solar flares and “cannibal” coronal mass ejections produced vivid auroras visible as far south as the Florida Panhandle, with UAF scientists calling it one of the most significant events in years. The storm briefly disrupted monitoring systems and could generate more auroras for days.

Strong northwest winds are resuspending ash from the 1912 Novarupta-Katmai eruption, prompting an NWS Special Weather Statement for southern Kodiak Island and an aviation advisory up to 6,000 feet. Communities including Karluk, Akhiok, and Larsen Bay may see haze and trace ash; sensitive groups are advised to limit outdoor activity until winds ease Saturday.