Aurora Forecast: Northern Lights Visible Across US
The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center reports a strong geomagnetic storm currently underway. This event increases the chances of seeing the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, across the northern United States and parts of some central states.
Visibility Range
According to NOAA's forecast, the greatest likelihood of aurora sightings extends from New York in the east to Washington state in the west. The visibility line also reaches as far south as Wyoming, Nebraska, and Iowa.
Factors Affecting Sightings
- Strength of the geomagnetic storm
- Clarity of the night sky
Stronger storms combined with clear skies improve the chances of witnessing the northern lights.
Storm Intensity
On Thursday morning, NOAA classified the storm as a "G3" level geomagnetic storm, which is a moderate to strong disturbance in Earth's magnetic field. The geomagnetic storm scale ranges from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme).
"A larger disturbance in Earth's magnetic field. It can vary in intensity between lower levels and strong storm conditions over the course of hours to a day during the event duration," said NOAA in its Geomagnetic Storm Alert.
Additional Impacts
Besides boosting aurora visibility, strong geomagnetic storms may also disrupt technology:
- Power grid fluctuations
- Satellite interference
- GPS signal disruptions
Author's Summary
This strong geomagnetic storm increases the northern lights’ visibility across much of the US while posing potential disruptions to power grids and satellite systems.