A powerful geomagnetic storm in the forecast for Sunday night could make the colorful northern lights visible across parts of the U.S., according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center.
The aurora could appear over much of the northern half of the contiguous U.S., even as far south as northern California and Alabama, the center said.
Space weather officials detected a solar flare associated with this geomagnetic storm on Friday, and National Weather Service offices from Rapid City, S.D., to Spokane, Wash., have posted photos of the telltale green and purple streaks in the sky captured earlier Sunday.
Federal officials say a G3 (strong) or G4 (severe) geomagnetic storm is possible, weather that could disrupt power systems, impede satellite operations and hamper radio communications.
The Space Weather Prediction Center said that even though the coronal mass ejection is weakening, elevated solar wind conditions could still produce a significant cosmic event.
Parts of the United States may be able to see the vibrant northern lights on Sunday night due to a strong geomagnetic storm that is predicted. S. based on the Space Weather Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Much of the contiguous U.S.’s northern half could see the aurora. S. . according to the center, even as far south as northern California and Alabama.
This geomagnetic storm was linked to a solar flare that space weather officials discovered on Friday, according to Rapid City, S.D National Weather Service offices. , to Spokane, Washington. have shared images taken earlier Sunday that show the distinctive purple and green striations in the sky.
An ongoing coronal mass ejection—which happens when the sun spews massive amounts of plasma and magnetic field out into space—is fueling the geomagnetic storm, which is predicted to continue until late Monday.
The disruption in the solar wind has the potential to cause issues for our planet by rattling the magnetosphere. According to federal officials, there is a chance of a G3 (strong) or G4 (severe) geomagnetic storm, which could interfere with satellite operations, interfere with radio communications, and disrupt power systems.
According to the Space Weather Prediction Center, a major cosmic event could still occur despite the coronal mass ejection’s waning.
