The Northern Lights could be visible again Sunday night for millions of people in the United States, as Earth continues to experience the effects of a “historic” geomagnetic storm. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted that the lights could be viewable in most of Canada and Alaska, with potential visibility in the continental U.S. reaching as far south as Alabama. The ongoing storm is expected to bring coronal mass ejections from the Sun, with speeds of 1,800 kilometers per second, causing power grid irregularities and communication degradation.
The National Weather Service issued a G4+ watch for a “Severe to Extreme” geomagnetic storm for Sunday, cautioning about the potential effects on power grids and communication systems. The storm is expected to continue through Monday until a large sunspot rotates out of view on Tuesday, according to forecasters. Predicting the Northern Lights can be challenging, but the K-index, which indicates the brightness and visibility of the lights, is being used to communicate the strength of geomagnetic storms. Stargazers are recommended to travel close to the magnetic poles for the best viewing experience away from city lights and light pollution.
The Northern Lights are caused by solar wind interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field. The current storm began on Friday, with sightings reported across the U.S. even in urban areas with significant light pollution. The severity of geomagnetic storms is measured on NOAA’s G-scale, with the current storm reaching G3 or G4 over the weekend. The storm is expected to continue to weaken, potentially reaching a G3 or “strong” storm on Monday, with a predicted Kp 4 for dimmer appearances of the lights.
The geomagnetic storm is predicted to continue through Monday but will likely only reach a G3 or “strong” storm on the NOAA scale. The Northern Lights could still be visible on Monday with a Kp 4, but they are expected to dissipate on Tuesday after Region 3664 rotates away from Earth. Stargazers are advised to seize the opportunity on Sunday night, making sure to find a viewing location away from light pollution, and checking the K-index for potential visibility. The fascinating display of the Northern Lights is a rare opportunity for those in the U.S. to witness this natural phenomenon and should not be missed.
