Latest news with #Kpindex
Forbes
16 hours ago
- Climate
- Forbes
Northern Lights Could Be Visible Tonight From These States
The northern lights could be visible once again Sunday night from some northern states, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration—although the auroral activity will be limited to only northern states. The aurora borealis could appear tonight for viewers in the continental United States, including in ... More Minnesota, North Dakota and Montana. Getty Images No geomagnetic storms or solar winds are expected to impact the Earth on Sunday night, but NOAA is forecasting a maximum Kp index of three out of nine—indicating the aurora borealis could still be visible. The aurora will potentially be visible in eight states along the Canadian border, including Montana, North Dakota, and Minnesota, as well as in most of Canada and Alaska. The forecast also indicates a slight chance for minor solar radiation and radio blackouts—but forecasters noted there were no radio blackouts over the past 24 hours. The best time to view the northern lights is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., according to NOAA. The agency also recommends viewers move as far away from sources of light pollution as possible. The aurora borealis is most visible the closer one moves towards the north pole, but trying to view the northern lights from the far north in June could be difficult due to the longer daylight hours around the summer solstice. What States Will The Northern Lights Be Visible From? Most of Alaska and North Dakota may be able to see the northern lights, according to NOAA, along with northern parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. How Can I Photograph The Northern Lights? An expert writing for National Geographic recommends photographers use a wide-angle lens and a tripod to capture as much of the sky as possible. A low light-capable lens will also help better capture the night sky. Smartphone cameras are now powerful enough to capture the northern lights, the expert said, but it's still recommended that photographers use a tripod in order to hold the camera still long enough to capture the lights. In May 2024, Earth was impacted by a major space weather event, later named the Gannon Storm by astronomers, which was caused by coronal ejections from a massive sunspot cluster on the surface of the Sun. The storm caused major geomagnetic storm conditions on Earth, making the aurora borealis visible as far south as Florida.
Forbes
10-06-2025
- Climate
- Forbes
Northern Lights Alert: Aurora Borealis May Appear In These 8 States Tuesday
A selection of states in the northern U.S. may have an opportunity to view the northern lights Tuesday, as auroral activity is expected to be calmer through the week, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Auroral activity will likely be calmer through the week, forecasters said. Auroral activity is forecast with a Kp index of three on a scale of nine for Tuesday night, indicating the northern lights will be visible farther from the poles and could be 'quite pleasing to look at' for anyone in the right areas. No geomagnetic storms or increased solar radiation are expected through Thursday night, NOAA's projections suggest, after earlier coronal mass ejections created 'minor' storms that pulled the northern lights to more states. Tuesday night's forecast is the strongest over the next two days, with a maximum Kp index of two projected for Wednesday and Thursday, according to NOAA's three-day forecast. A view line marking a minimal opportunity of viewing the aurora borealis is forecast just south of the Canadian border, with a lesser chance projected for parts of northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Most of Canada and Alaska have a higher chance. (See map below.) Tuesday's view line. NOAA suggests traveling between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time to an unobstructed, north-facing and high vantage point away from light pollution to see the northern lights. NASA recommends enabling night mode, disabling flash and selecting a slower shutter speed if using a smartphone. With a regular camera, the agency suggests using a tripod to stabilize the image, a wide-angle lens, an aperture or F-stop of four or less and a focus set to the furthest possible setting. More people in the U.S. have had opportunities to see the aurora borealis over the last year, after activity on the sun's surface reached a 'solar maximum.' This peak, which marks an increase in solar events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections, occurs periodically during the sun's 11-year cycle. Electrons from these events are responsible for the northern lights, as they release energy in the form of colorful, swirling lights after colliding with oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth's atmosphere.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
G4 geomagnetic storm predicted tonight, Northern Lights viewing possible across North Alabama
The Space Weather Prediction Center is forecasting a G4 geomagnetic storm to continue during the night of June 1 into the morning of June 2. In order to see the Northern Lights this far south in North Alabama, the Kp index has to be high. The Kp value is something we look at that's associated with the strength of the geomagnetic storm. The center is forecasting a Kp index between 7 and 8 after dark and into the early overnight hours. Around here, we need it to be between 8 and 9 for us to see the lights. The last time we had a spectacular show here in North Alabama, the G4 storm that was predicted strengthened to a G5 and the Kp index was between 8 and 9! The sky should be mostly clear tonight but we will be battling the smoky conditions in our area from the Canadian wildfires. This could hinder viewing. In order to see the Northern Lights you have to get away from city lights and use a long exposure camera, which you can use on your smart phone. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Aurora possible Sunday night, but hazy skies may interfere
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — There is a chance the northern lights could make an appearance in West Michigan if the wildfire smoke is able to clear in time. The has issued a G4 geomagnetic storm watch for June 2. This level is considered severe and may bring the northern lights into West Michigan. A G4 geomagnetic storm correlates to the Kp index, or the measurement of geomagnetic activity. Late Sunday evening into the early morning hours of Monday morning, the Kp index is expected to reach a 7. The northern lights may be seen as far south as northern Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. In West Michigan, the best chance for viewing will be in the Upper Peninsula and northern lower Michigan. Forecasting the aurora is quite challenging, largely because it is based on solar activity like solar flares and coronal mass ejections. These forecasts often change frequently and quickly. The Space Weather Prediction Center does provide an update every 30 minutes to reflect these changes. While West Michigan is expected to be free of cloud cover Sunday night, viewing may be limited due to Canadian wildfire smoke. Hazy skies are expected to linger into Sunday afternoon before winds begin to shift into Monday. There is a chance the smoke will clear in time to give way to viewing the northern lights. As of now, the thickest layer of smoke is expected to hold off to the west. If West Michigan is too hazy to view the northern lights Sunday night, there may be another opportunity Monday night. Stay with Storm Team 8 for the latest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Forbes
24-05-2025
- Climate
- Forbes
Northern Lights Update: Here's What States Could See Aurora Borealis Saturday
The northern lights have a low likelihood of showing in a group of U.S. states bordering Canada on Saturday, according to a forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which provided a similar prediction for Sunday. The Kp index for Saturday is three. (Photo by) Forecasters with NOAA predict a quiet aurora with a Kp index of three, meaning the northern lights can be 'quite pleasing to look at' for some viewers in the right places. Saturday's curved viewing line reaches as far south as the North Dakota and South Dakota border, encompassing portions of eight states which will have a better chance at seeing the natural phenomenon the farther north they are. NOAA's aurora forecast is nearly identical for Sunday, though the agency's prediction for auroral activity could change. Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We're launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day's headlines. Text 'Alerts' to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here. The aurora has a low likelihood of visibility in the northeastern tip of Washington, the tip of Idaho, northeastern Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and the Michigan Peninsula. Much of Alaska also has a shot at seeing the aurora. Saturday's viewing line. Observers looking to view the northern lights should try and do so between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., the peak hours of the Kp index. Viewing chances can also be helped by being in an area with clear skies and little to no light pollution. Those with traditional cameras should use wide-angle lenses, low shutter speeds and high apertures. Smartphone users can use night mode when trying to snap a picture of the northern lights. Tripods for image stability can also help. Visibility for the northern lights are forecasted to stay active into early 2026 since the sun reached a solar maximum in 2024, marking the peak of its solar activity characterized by an increase in sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections. During quiet auroras, northern U.S. states like North Dakota, Alaska, Washington and Montana have the best shots at seeing the northern lights, but active auroras can bring decent viewing opportunities to Oregon, Nebraska, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont and Illinois Get Ready For 50 Years Of Intense Northern Lights, Scientists Say (Forbes)
