Latest news with #MyAuroraForecast&Alerts
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Northern lights may be visible from these 13 US States tonight
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Though geomagnetic activity is beginning to wane, the northern lights could still put on a show tonight (June 3). Earth is still reverberating from not one but two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that hit in the early hours of June 1 and late June 2, wreaking havoc on our magnetic field and triggering incredible auroras around the world. Space weather forecasters from the U.K. Met Office predict there is still a slight chance of further strong (G3) geomagnetic storms, with minor (G1) and moderate (G2) intervals expected. The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center predicts that the Kp index will peak at 4.67 over the next 24 hours. For an up-to-date breakdown of timings, check out NOAA's 3-day forecast. (Kp is a measurement of geomagnetic activity, with an index that ranges from 0 to 9; higher Kp indicates stronger auroral activity.) You can also 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 G3 storms are reached, auroras could be visible down to Illinois and Oregon, according to NOAA, though the chance for more G3 storms is slim. Below we have listed all 13 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 line. 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 Minnesota North Dakota Montana Wisconsin Michigan (Upper Peninsula) South Dakota Maine Vermont New Hampshire Idaho Washington Oregon If you live in one of the 13 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
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Northern lights may be visible in these 23 US States tonight
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Northern lights could put on an impressive show tonight (June 1) as ongoing geomagnetic storm conditions may push auroras farther south than usual, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Earth is currently reverberating from a speedy coronal mass ejection (CME) impact that struck in the early hours of June 1, wreaking havoc on our planet's magnetic field — great news for anyone hoping to see the northern lights. Space weather forecasters from the U.K. Met Office predict frequent G1 to G2 level storming and occasional G3 and even G4 level storm intervals possible June 1-2. Read more: Aurora alert: Ongoing powerful geomagnetic storm could spark more northern lights across the US tonight The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center predicts that the Kp index will peak at 7.67 over the next 24 hours. For an up-to-date breakdown of timings, check out NOAA's 3-day forecast. (Kp is a measurement of geomagnetic activity, with an index that ranges from 0 to 9; higher Kp indicates stronger auroral activity.) Aurora chasers, get those cameras charged, fingers crossed and your eyes firmly fixed on the skies! You can also keep up with the latest forecasts and geomagnetic storm warnings with our aurora forecast live blog. Alaska has the highest chance of seeing the northern lights tonight. If G3 or even G4 storm levels are reached, auroras could be visible at high-latitude states, including Michigan and Maine, according to NOAA. Below, we have listed all 23 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 auroral oval's center and how much of each state is within or near the view line. But remember, auroras are fickle — sometimes they appear much farther south than predicted, and other times they barely show up at all. Many conditions have to align for the perfect display. Alaska Montana North Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin Michigan South Dakota Vermont New Hampshire Maine Idaho Washington Oregon New York Massachusetts Connecticut Rhode Island Nebraska Iowa Wyoming Illinois Indianna Pennsylvania If you find yourself in one of the 23 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. But as we approach the summer solstice on June 20/21, the window of darkness for observing northern lights is shrinking; the early morning hours around 1 and 2 a.m. might be the best time to try and see the northern lights. Interested in tracking space weather and knowing when and where to spot 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. Editor's note: If you snap a great picture of the northern or southern lights and would like to share it with readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Sun unleashes powerful M5.6 solar flare and Earth is in the firing line — are auroras incoming?
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The sun has once again unleashed a powerful solar flare, continuing its streak of intense activity. On April 1, at 2:46 a.m. EDT (0646 GMT), an M5.6-class flare erupted from sunspot region AR4046 — the same region responsible for last week's X-class flare and massive coronal mass ejection (CME). Unlike the previous event, this latest eruption could have a greater impact on Earth, as AR4046 has now moved into the "Earth strike zone," meaning any CME it produces in the coming days has a much higher chance of hitting our planet. If this flare is accompanied by a CME, it could set the stage for heightened geomagnetic activity, potentially triggering geomagnetic storms and dazzling northern lights at high and even mid-latitudes. Forecasters are currently awaiting coronagraph data to confirm whether a CME was launched alongside this event. Meanwhile, AR4046 isn't the only sunspot region drawing attention. AR4048, a still-emerging sunspot that has yet to fully rotate to face Earth, has been crackling with activity, consistently firing off solar flares. Space weather forecasters are closely monitoring this region, as it could become another significant source of space weather disruptions in the coming days. The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center is placing the chances of an X-class flare — the most powerful category of solar flares — at 25% over the next three days. If such an eruption occurs and is accompanied by a CME, Earth could experience strong geomagnetic storms, which may lead to disruptions in radio communications, satellite operations, and GPS systems, but also enhance the chances of breathtaking auroras. If you're interested in tracking space weather and knowing when and where to spot 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
25-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Aurora alert! Moderate geomagnetic storm could spark northern lights as far south as New York and Idaho tonight (March 25)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has issued a geomagnetic storm warning for tonight (March 25) due to incoming turbulent solar weather. This is exciting news for aurora enthusiasts, as the expected G2-level storm could bring northern lights as far south as New York and Idaho. NOAA's SWPC forecasts the Kp index to peak at 5.67 over the next 24 hours, signaling strong geomagnetic activity. For the latest aurora forecast and timing updates, check NOAA's 3-day space weather outlook. The predicted increase in geomagnetic activity is driven by a co-rotating interaction region (CIR) — a turbulent area in the solar wind where fast-moving streams collide with slower wind ahead of them. CIRs can generate shock waves similar to those found in coronal mass ejections (CMEs), enhancing space weather effects. This particular CIR is fueled by a massive Earth-facing coronal hole in the sun's atmosphere. Coronal holes are regions where the sun's magnetic field opens up, allowing high-speed solar wind to escape freely into space. In ultraviolet images, these areas appear darker because they lack the hot, glowing gases typically trapped by magnetic fields, according to In more great news for aurora enthusiasts, this surge in geomagnetic activity comes at the perfect time. That's because Earth is currently in an ideal position for dazzling auroras, thanks to its proximity to the vernal equinox, which occurred on March 20. Auroras tend to be stronger around the equinoxes due to a phenomenon known as the Russell-McPherron effect. During this period, Earth's magnetic field can develop temporary "cracks," allowing even weak solar wind to penetrate and spark brilliant displays. Unlike other times of the year when Earth is tilted toward or away from the sun, the equinox brings a more neutral alignment. This allows the solar wind's magnetic field to interact more efficiently with Earth's, channeling energy into the atmosphere and enhancing auroral activity. We could be in for a spectacular show tonight, so keep your eyes on the skies! To stay updated on aurora activity, consider using a space weather app that provides real-time forecasts based on your location. A great option is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts" (available for iOS and Android). For a deeper dive into space weather conditions, "Space Weather Live" is another excellent choice (available for iOS and Android)
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Aurora alert: Giant 'hole' in sun and strong geomagnetic storm converge to supercharge northern lights this weekend
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A massive eruption on the sun that flung solar plasma toward Earth on Friday may trigger a strong geomagnetic storm this weekend that could supercharge auroras across the northern United States. The solar eruption, called a coronal mass ejection (or CME), exploded on Friday (March 21) even as a so-called "coronal hole" opened on the sun to unleash a separate high-speed stream of solar particles toward Earth. The result: A tag-team of solar material that should reach Earth this weekend to amplify northern lights displays late Saturday and early Sunday (March 22-23). "A coronal hole high speed stream and coronal mass ejection arrival are likely to combine this coming night (Sat 22 Mar), bringing Enhanced to Strong solar wind speeds for a time," the Meteorological Office of the United Kingdom wrote in an update today. In the U.S., the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued an alert for a strong G3-class geomagnetic storm watch for Sunday, which could make auroras visible as far south as Oregon and U.S. states across the lower Midwest. "Watches at this level are infrequent, but not uncommon," NOAA officials wrote in the alert. Auroras occur when charged particles from the sun's solar wind reach Earth, where they are funneled over our planet's polar regions to Earth's magnetic field. When those particles interact with the upper atmosphere, they cause a glow (usually in green) visibel to skywatchers. Spikes in those interactions can reach geomagnetic storm levels like the G3 storm watch issued by NOAA. When the sun unleashes major solar flares, erutions or particle streams, that baseline aurora activity amps up, with the northern lights visible farther south than its typical polar regions. Increased solar activity can also lead to different colors of auroras, such as stunning reds and purples, in addition to green. If you live in the visibility region for this weekend's potential northern lights and want to try and see the auroras, you'll need to find the darkest skies possible. Light pollution from city lights and even street lights can spoil the view (just like during meteor showers). The space weather that drives northern lights displays can be unpredictable, so it's helpful to use an app you can personalize to your viewing location to get updates during storm watches like this weekend's. We typically recommend "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts," available on both iOS and Android, as well as "Space Weather Live" app on iOS and Android. Editor's note: If you observe the northern lights this weekend and capture a stunning photo or video that you'd like to share with we want to see it! You can send in photos, video and observing comments in to spacephotos@
