Latest news with #Kpindex
Yahoo
3 days ago
- 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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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
4 days ago
- 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)
Forbes
23-05-2025
- Climate
- Forbes
Northern Lights Updates: Here's Where Aurora Borealis May Appear Friday
Several states in the northern U.S. may have the opportunity to see the northern lights Friday, but it's possible the phenomenon could become visible in more areas, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Auroral activity is forecast with a Kp index of three on a scale of nine for Friday night, suggesting the northern lights will be more active away from the poles and be 'quite pleasing to look at' in some areas. The Kp index may increase to four on Friday, meaning there could be a chance to see the aurora borealis in parts of South Dakota and Maine, according to NOAA's three-day forecast. The northern lights will likely be calmer through the weekend, NOAA said, with a maximum Kp index of nearly two for Friday and Saturday, indicating the aurora borealis would likely only be visible in northern Canada and Alaska. The northern lights have the highest chance of being visible across Canada and Alaska, while a view line marking a minimal opportunity sweeps just under the Canadian border. Parts of northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Upper Michigan have a lower likelihood of seeing aurora borealis. (See map below.) Friday's view line. NOAA NOAA recommends traveling to a north-facing, high vantage point away from light pollution sometime between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. Photography experts told National Geographic it's best to use a wide-angle lens, an aperture or F-stop of four or less, a focus set to the furthest possible setting and a tripod to capture the northern lights. With a smartphone, NOAA suggests turning on night mode and disabling flash. The northern lights will likely be increasingly visible throughout the U.S. after a 'solar maximum' was achieved on the sun's surface in October 2024, according to NOAA and NASA. During the sun's 11-year cycle of solar activity, a 'solar maximum' and 'solar minimum' are both reached at different points, indicating a corresponding rise or decline in solar events like coronal mass ejections and solar flares. Electrons from these events collide with oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth's atmosphere, causing them to produce a swirling array of lights, according to NOAA. This peak in solar activity will persist into early 2026, according to NASA's projections.
Forbes
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Forbes
Northern Lights Update: 8 States Could See Aurora Borealis Monday
A group of states in the northern U.S. may have the opportunity to see the northern lights Monday, with a slight chance for some radio blackouts early this week, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. There is a slight chance of some radio blackouts, forecasters said. Auroral activity is forecast with a Kp index of three on a scale of nine for Monday night, suggesting the northern lights will move farther from the poles and be 'quite pleasing to look at' for those in the right areas. It's likely the aurora borealis won't be as visible in the U.S. through Wednesday, with an expected Kp index of two forecast for the next two days, according to NOAA's three-day forecast. There is a chance for some minor to moderate radio blackouts over the next three days, potentially impacting some high-frequency radio communications, NOAA said, though large-scale radio outages are unlikely. The aurora borealis will be most visible in Alaska and northern Canada, with a minimal opportunity, marked by NOAA's view line, expected in several states along the Canadian border. A lesser chance of seeing the phenomenon is forecast in northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. (See map below.) Monday's view line. NOAA recommends traveling to a north-facing, high vantage point away from light pollution to see the northern lights, which are best viewed between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. Photography experts told National Geographic it's best to use a wide-angle lens and tripod if using a regular camera. Settings should also be adjusted for lower light images, with an aperture or F-stop of four or less. With a smartphone, NOAA recommends turning on night mode and disabling flash. The northern lights were seen as far south as Texas and northern Florida last year, shortly after a 'solar maximum' was achieved in October, NOAA and NASA said. A 'solar maximum' indicates a peak in solar activity and occurs throughout the sun's 11-year cycle, during which a 'solar minimum' is also reached. This peak in activity results in more coronal mass ejections and solar flares, and the electrons from these events are the cause of auroral displays. The electrons intersect with oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth's atmosphere, causing them to become 'excited' before producing a swirling array of lights. A peak in solar activity will likely persist into early 2026, forecasters said. Northern Lights Displays Hit A 500-Year Peak In 2024—Here's Where You Could Catch Aurora Borealis In 2025 (Forbes)
