(NEXSTAR) — Another geomagnetic storm could bring the aurora borealis to parts of the U.S. overnight.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) issued a Grade 2 geomagnetic storm warning on Monday, announcing that a coronal mass ejection (CME) is expected to impact Earth on Wednesday.
by SwedenThe halo CME erupted on Sunday. Prior to its arrival, the SWPC Small solar radiation storms The event began on Monday night.
While these terms may sound scary, this geomagnetic activity will likely go unnoticed by many, except for those lucky enough to see the aurora borealis as a result.
Solar storms, including CMEs, are the cause of the Aurora Borealis. When plasma and magnetic material ejected from the Sun by a CME collide with the Earth’s magnetic field, it launches particles towards the North and South Poles. When these particles interact with gases in the atmosphere, excess energy is produced, which manifests as bursts of light, better known as the Aurora Borealis.
The stronger the geomagnetic storm (a term used to describe the aforementioned solar influence), the further south the aurora will be visible in the United States.
Like tornadoes and hurricanes, geomagnetic storms are measured on a five-point scale. The lowest level is a G1, which is small but strong enough to make the Northern Lights visible in parts of the northern US, such as Maine and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. In extreme G5 storms, the Northern Lights can be pushed as far south as Florida and southern Texas.
SWPC initially issued a G2 warning, but forecasts (see below) expect geomagnetic activity to reach G1 levels.
Unfortunately for those in the southern United States, the bright aurora that will shine Tuesday night into Wednesday will only be visible in states closest to the Canadian border.
According to the SWPC’s aurora forecast for Tuesday, northern parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin are unlikely to see the aurora borealis celestial show.
Parts of Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine may also be able to see the aurora along the northern horizon.
There have already been several strong geomagnetic storms (and associated auroral activity) this year, including several that brought the northern lights to Florida and Hawaii.
These types of storms are difficult to predict, but experts say there are likely to be more of them next year.
The sun is currently in the process of going through a solar cycle, or 11-year pole reversal, and when this cycle reaches its peak, the sun is also very active.
The best part? I don’t think I’ve gotten there yet. Peak of solar cycle 25.
Solar maximum may still be several months away, Mark Misch“We expect to see more powerful solar storms for the rest of this year, through 2025, and possibly into 2026,” the research scientist at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center told Nexstar.
If current predictions are correct and solar maximum continues over the next few months, at least some Americans may get a chance to see the aurora again soon, though we’ll have to wait and see if the lights make it to Florida or Hawaii again.
