Latest news with #Kp-index
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Is PA among 15 states that could see the aurora borealis tonight? See northern lights map
Alaska and states near the Canadian border will have a likely chance of seeing the northern lights Wednesday, June 25. The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, may be visible in as many as 15 northern states Wednesday night, June 25, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). Most of Canada will also have a chance to see the lights. Unfortunately for Pennsylvania skywatchers, the northern lights are not expected to be visible. Neighboring New York state is the closest to Pennsylvania with a chance to see the light show. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center tracks auroras using the Kp-index, a global auroral activity. The index's 0-9 scale measures fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field in specific geographic locations. It predicts minor to moderate geomagnetic storms on the sun's surface, which can cause a disturbance in the Earth's atmosphere. NOAA forecasts several states in the northern United States will have the best views. If the weather is clear, many in the northern states should be able to see the sky show. Among the states, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center: Alaska, Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Unable to view our graphics? Click here to see them. More: Multiple states could see northern lights this week. See map. The Kp index is expected to peak at 5 during the week, according to the NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. See NOAA's three-day forecast for the most recent timing breakdown. We're protected from the solar winds − the streams of charged particles released by the sun's corona, or outermost atmospheric layer − by the invisible barrier created by the Earth's magnetic field. Stronger solar winds can disturb the field. Vivid auroras are produced then the charged particles from the sun interact with Earth's atmosphere and the planet's magnetic field. The light display can be visible over Europe and the United States during large auroral events. According to the University of Alaska, during a major event in 1958, the aurora could be seen from Mexico City. CONTRIBUTING Jim Sergent SOURCE NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center, and USA TODAY research This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aurora borealis possibly visible to 15 northern states on June 25
USA Today
a day ago
- Climate
- USA Today
See which states may see the Aurora Borealis tonight and into this week
Good news for skywatchers: The Auroras are coming back! For those in the northern states, the Aurora Borealis, or northern lights, are likely to appear this week, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center. NOAA tracks auroras using the Kp-index, a global auroral activity. The index's 0-9 scale measures fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field in specific geographic locations. It predicts minor to moderate geomagnetic storms on the sun's surface, which can cause a disturbance in the Earth's atmosphere. NOAA forecasts several states in the northern U.S. will have the best views. If the weather is clear, many in northern states should be able to see the northern lights. Among the states, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center: Alaska, Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. States that may see the auroras this week Unable to view our graphics? Click here to see them. More: Multiple states could see northern lights this week. See map. The Kp index, which measures activity in Earth's magnetic field, is expected to peak at 5 during the week, according to the NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. View NOAA's 3-day forecast for the most recent timing breakdown. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction forecast Earth's magnetic field acts as a barrier We're protected from the solar winds by the invisible barrier created by the Earth's magnetic field. Stronger solar winds have the ability to disturb the magnetic field. Vivid auroras are produced when gases from the planet's magnetic field contact the storm's particle stream. Though uncommon, the display can be visible over Europe and the United States during large auroral events. According to the University of Alaska, during a major event in 1958, the aurora could be seen from Mexico City. CONTRIBUTING Jim Sergent SOURCE NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center, and USA TODAY research
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Eruptions on the Sun could cause aurora over Kansas
KANSAS (KSNT) – A one-two punch double eruption on the sun is offering a slight chance to view the aurora borealis in the Kansas sky later this week. On April 12 and April 13, two coronal mass ejection events on the Sun shot solar material towards Earth. As a result, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm watch. The NOAA reports those eruptions are set to hit Earth's atmosphere on April 16 and could extend into April 17. NOAA forecasters say the double eruption on the sun could cause auroras in Canada and stretch as far south as the upper Midwest states. Moving this tree in Kansas could get you in trouble starting in 2027, what to know 27 News spoke to NASA Solar System Ambassador Brenda Culbertson who said if the solar storm is strong enough it could be seen in Kansas. She said that the Kp-index, a 10-point scale used to characterize geomagnetic disturbances, has to be at least a six to reach Kansas. According to NOAA, geomagnetic storm warnings are issued once the Kp-indicies for a day are five and above. The storm heading towards Earth is expected to be a six on the Kp-index. 'One of the results from such an impact is aurora borealis, but for mid and low latitudes to see aurora, the intensity of the impact has to be very strong,' Culbertson said. 'Current expectations for the incoming CMEs are that high latitudes should see aurora, but if the intensity is stronger than expected, some mid latitude states may also see it. As with all weather, space weather changes, and precise predictions are difficult. Still, there is potential for the night of April 16.' CMEs are explosions of plasma and magnetic material from the sun that can reach Earth in as little as 15 to 18 hours, according to the NOAA. According to NASA, CMEs can create currents in Earth's magnetic fields that send particles to the North and South Poles. When those particles interact with oxygen and nitrogen, they can create auroras. Why legalizing weed in Kansas isn't working Kansans were treated to an impressive and rare display of the northern lights in May, 2024 when the aurora became visible over large parts of the state. That solar storm was ranked as a G3 initially but was increased to a G5, the highest level, eventually. It was caused by a 'monster sunspot' which later erupted, sending a large number of solar particles towards Earth. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
