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Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Northern lights may be visible in these 9 US States tonight
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Unsettled geomagnetic activity could bring northern lights to parts of the U.S. tonight (June 19–20). A coronal mass ejection (CME) released during a relatively small C5.5 solar flare on June 17 may deliver a glancing blow to Earth sometime tonight. This, combined with fast solar wind streaming from a large Earth-facing coronal hole, could fuel geomagnetic storm conditions overnight, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). Space weather forecasters at SWPC predict a chance of minor G1 geomagnetic storm conditions (Kp 5) between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. EDT (0600–0900 GMT) on June 20. (Kp is a measurement of geomagnetic activity, with an index that ranges from 0 to 9; higher Kp indicates stronger auroral activity.) You can keep up with the latest forecasts and geomagnetic storm warnings with our aurora forecast live blog. In the U.S., Alaska has the highest chance of seeing the northern lights tonight. If predicted G1 storms are reached, auroras could be visible down to Michigan and Maine, and perhaps even further according to NOAA. Below we have listed 9 states that appear either fully or in part above the possible view line for auroras tonight, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. They are ordered most likely to least likely based on their proximity to the center of the auroral oval and how much of each state is within or near the view like Connecticut, Rhode Island, Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois are very close to the possible view line but would require stronger geomagnetic activity than forecast for visibility. That being said, geomagnetic storms have surprised us in the past, whereby forecasted G1 conditions jump to G2 or even G3. So it's worth keeping your eyes on the skies and those aurora alerts switched on. Remember, auroras can be fickle. Sometimes they can appear much farther south than predicted, and other times they barely show up at all. There are many conditions that have to align for the perfect show. It is possible that many more states could witness auroras tonight, or perhaps far fewer will. Alaska Montana North Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin Michigan (especially the Upper Peninsula) Maine Vermont New Hampshire If you live in one of the 9 states forecasted to have a chance of seeing the northern lights tonight, head to a north-facing vantage point as far away from light pollution as possible! The best time to look for auroras will be about 1 a.m. local time, as our window of darkness for observing the northern lights shrinks during summer months. Use your mobile phone to scan the skies, as the camera is great at picking up faint auroras before your eyes spot them. This can help you pinpoint where in the sky you should be focusing your attention. But remember to keep an eye out elsewhere too as auroras can pop up in front, behind or even above you! Happy aurora hunting. If you want to make sure you're all clued up on when to look for auroras, download a space weather app that provides forecasts based on your location. One option I use is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts," available for both iOS and Android. However, any similar app should work well. I also use the "Space Weather Live" app, which is available on iOS and Android, to get a deeper understanding of whether the current space weather conditions are favorable for aurora sightings.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Northern Lights May Appear Farther South Than Usual This Weekend—Here's How to See Them
The northern lights may be visible across parts of the U.S. this weekend due to increased geomagnetic activity. This rare opportunity stems from a G2 geomagnetic storm that could make the aurora borealis visible as far south as New York and Idaho. Optimal viewing conditions include areas with little light pollution and clear skies, particularly in rural or high-altitude you live in the northern U.S., you may have the chance to witness an eye-catching light show in the sky. Starting tonight and through the weekend, the northern lights will be visible, with auroras appearing further south than usual—possibly into New York and Idaho—due to geomagnetic storm conditions. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a moderate G2 geomagnetic storm watch for June 14. Geomagnetic storms are ranked from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). A G2 storm means that the aurora oval—the zone where there is a higher probability of seeing the northern lights—could move farther south, allowing residents across parts of the northern U.S. a chance to see the lights. According to the SWPC, people in Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, South Dakota, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Wyoming have a chance of spotting the phenomenon over the weekend thanks to turbulent space weather. The spike in geomagnetic activity is caused by a coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS). Per NOAA, "A coronal hole is a less dense area in the solar corona. They appear dark because they are cooler. Solar wind escapes from these features at higher speeds, known as high-speed streams. When they arrive at Earth, escalated geomagnetic activity may result." NOAA also forecasts that the Kp index will peak at 6.33 over the weekend. The Kp Index is a numeric scale, ranging from 0 to 9, that describes geomagnetic activity. Per NOAA, higher Kp values increase the chances of seeing auroras at lower latitudes. If you want to see the lights, head to a dark, north-facing spot away from city lights. Keep in mind that cloudy skies and light pollution can affect visibility. The best time to spot the lights may be around 1 to 2 a.m. Read the original article on Martha Stewart
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Northern lights may be visible across Wisconsin June 13 and 14. Here's when to look
Wisconsinites will have another chance to see the northern lights heading into the June 13 weekend. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a geomagnetic storm watch for June 14, and the lights may be visible throughout the state on June 13 and 14, according to the NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. Both forecasts have a Kp index of four. For indexes in this range, lights will likely be "brighter and there will be more auroral activity" — if they make an appearance — since they're moving further from the poles, according to the SWPC. The SWPC also has an aurora forecast tool, which provides a short-term forecast. The forecaster shows the lights' location and intensity for the next 30 to 90 minutes. Rain could hinder some Wisconsinites from seeing the lights this weekend, according to forecasts from the National Weather Service. There's a chance of showers on both June 13 and 14 in Green Bay, Appleton and Wausau. But, NWS forecasts indicate the night sky should be relatively clear for some of the state on June 14, including in Milwaukee and Madison. The SWPC says the lights are typically best 'within an hour or two' of midnight, meaning you should keep an eye out between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. You should also head away from city lights and seek high vantage points for a better chance of catching a glimpse. You can find a full list of tips on the SWPC's website. Here's a list of spots across Wisconsin that offer some of the best views of the night sky: Newport State Park, Ellison Bay Driftless Region, Wisconsin Harrington Beach State Park, Belgium Kettle Moraine State Forest, Eagle Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan Parnell Tower, Plymouth This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Can I see the northern lights in Wisconsin this weekend?
The Hill
12-06-2025
- Climate
- The Hill
Geomagnetic storming could spark northern lights this weekend: What to know
(NEXSTAR) — Some in the U.S. could have another chance to see the northern lights this weekend thanks to a coronal hole and accompanying solar winds that may impact Earth. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a geomagnetic storm watch for Saturday because of the coronal hole, or CH. These are areas on the sun that are cooler and less dense regions of open and unipolar magnetic fields, NOAA explains. Their openness allows solar wind to escape at higher speeds, known as High Speed Streams, or HSS. A CH HSS can spark geomagnetic storms on Earth, according to NOAA, though not typically as strong as those brought on by coronal mass ejections, like we saw earlier this month. The CH HSS could still pack a punch to our atmosphere, however. While there could be some infrastructure-related impacts, experts say those in charge of those systems are equipped to mitigate influences. For those of us not responsible for power systems and navigational products, we may get to enjoy a more colorful outcome of geomagnetic storms: the northern lights. The SWPC has issued a G2-level watch starting on Saturday. At that level, which is not uncommon, the northern lights have been known to be visible in parts of the Midwest, Idaho, and New York. It's difficult to say exactly where the aurora could be visible on Saturday, however. The SWPC offers two days worth of aurora viewing forecasts — for the present day and the next — as well as a three-day forecast. As of Thursday, the Kp index, used to measure the magnitude of geomagnetic storms, is expected to strengthen later in the day on Saturday, starting between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. UTC, or between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. EDT. That means the morning sun will drown out the northern lights, if they're even visible at that time. However, the SWPC's forecast shows conditions could ramp up through the day, potentially reaching a Kp index of 5.67, considered G2-strength storming, at around 5 p.m. EDT. Should geomagnetic storming remain on the stronger side for the following hours, you could see the northern lights Saturday night. The aurora forecasts produced Friday and Saturday should offer a better insight into where in the U.S. the aurora could be visible. The aurora forecast produced by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, which uses data from NOAA but is often based on long-term predictions, shows Canada has a greater chance of seeing the northern lights on Saturday. The celestial show could, however, be visible to those in all or parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Forecasts from the SWPC and the Institute could change before Saturday, depending on a multitude of conditions. Experts previously told Nexstar its difficult to forecast geomagnetic storming conditions until the material causing it — in this case, a CH HSS — is closer to Earth. If you live in an area where the aurora is forecast to reach, but you're unable to see the colors in the night sky, try using your phone to catch a glimpse. Since the cameras on our smartphones are more sensitive than our eyes, they can better pick up on the celestial show during weaker conditions. It's recommended to use your phone camera's night mode, if available, or another method of extending the camera's exposure. You'll also want to keep your hands as steady as possible, which may mean relying on a tripod.
Newsweek
03-06-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Millions Issued Geomagnetic Storm Warning
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A geomagnetic storm could impact millions of people "over New York to north Iowa to Washington state," weather authorities have warned. The National Weather Service extended a G3 warning on Monday, before downgrading it to a G2 warning on Tuesday, after weather data indicated that the storm would continue. Why It Matters Any extreme weather in these areas could have a huge impact on infrastructure and the environment, and geomagnetic storms in particular have the potential to affect power distribution networks and satellite signals. What To Know On Monday, the National Weather Service issued an extension to its geomagnetic weather warning. It was originally classified with a strength of G3, the third-highest level for a storm of this kind, before being downgraded to a G2 on Tuesday morning at time of writing, indicating the storm is "moderate." The service warned advised residents to be cautious of irregular behavior from electronic devices. "Some effects are possible to power grid, satellite ops, and GPS," the warning said. "Geomagnetic activity can vary considerably during storm progression with intermittent periods of escalation or weakening as the major disturbance in the solar wind continues. Monitor the SWPC webpage for additional information and Alerts for latest levels." The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis are visible over the New York Skyline on October 11, 2024 in New York City. The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis are visible over the New York Skyline on October 11, 2024 in New York City. Getty Images Geomagnetic storms, which are caused by bursts of solar wind that also create aurora borealis, can cause a variety of electrical and signal issues depending on how strong they are. At G2 strength, the National Weather Service predicts that the storm may damage transformers on electrical systems, and create "low-frequency radio navigation problems." The storm will also interfere with the flight paths of satellites in orbit by increasing drag. The same solar winds that create the storm also create the northern lights, which means over a dozen states might be able to see the phenomenon with the naked eye this week. What People Are Saying The National Weather Service's most recent warning update reads: "Power grid fluctuations can occur. High-latitude power systems may experience voltage alarms. Satellite orientation irregularities may occur; increased drag on low Earth-orbit satellites is possible. "Aurora may be visible at high latitudes in the northern tier of the U.S., such as northern Michigan and Maine." Astronomy professor Alex Gianninas of Connecticut College told Newsweek: "We are currently in the peak of the current solar cycle, Solar Cycle 25, and so increased activity at the surface of the Sun is normal. This includes geomagnetic storms that cause the Sun to expel large quantities of charged particles. "If those are directed towards the Earth, then once they get here, the Earth's magnetic field channels them down towards both the North and South poles and when they hit the nitrogen and oxygen in the atmosphere produce the beautiful Aurora that we see." What Happens Next The abnormal weather is expected to pass by the end of the week as the solar wind dies down.
