Northern Lights May Be Visible Across 22 US States Tonight
Auroras are expected to be visible from Alaska to Illinois as geomagnetic storm conditions continue tonight. Earth is preparing for the arrival of a powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) launched from the sun during yesterday's M7.4 solar flare.
Incoming Coronal Mass Ejection and Geomagnetic Storm
The fast-moving CME is forecasted to reach Earth late tonight or early Friday (Nov. 7) morning (UTC). Once it arrives, it could cause strong (G3) geomagnetic storm conditions, says NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. These conditions followed a surprise surge in auroras overnight caused by a glancing CME impact combined with effects from a high-speed solar wind stream. This led to a G3-level geomagnetic activity, triggering northern lights across the northern U.S., Canada, and Europe.
Storm Watches and Aurora Visibility
- Both NOAA and the UK Met Office have issued G3 storm watches for November.
- If the CME's magnetic orientation aligns well with Earth's magnetic field, auroras could intensify across high and possibly mid-latitudes.
Space weather physicist Tamitha Skov said, "an aurora photographer's dream starting now and lasting at least through the weekend," and noted that G3 to G4 storm levels are possible by Friday as multiple CMEs interact with Earth's magnetic field.
Summary
The approaching solar storm may produce spectacular aurora displays across much of the northern United States and beyond through the weekend.
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