Latest news with #NOAASpaceWeatherPredictionCenter
Global News
25-06-2025
- Climate
- Global News
Look up! There's a strong chance northern lights will put on a show this week
Heads up, skywatchers! Scientists predict that the northern lights are about to put on a far-reaching show that should be visible across most of Canada, thanks to a coronal 'hole' in the sun that's sending a high-speed stream of charged particles toward Earth. These intense auroras are expected to dance across the night sky on June 25 and 26, reaching all the way down into the northern United States. Recurrent, negative polarity coronal hole high speed stream influence is likely to bring minor to moderate geomagnetic storming 25-26 June. — NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) June 23, 2025 Story continues below advertisement 'The aurora may become visible over some northern and upper Midwest states from New York to Idaho,' representatives for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) wrote in an update. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy According to the SWPC, the Kp index, a measure of geomagnetic activity, is forecast to peak at 5.67. The Kp index ranges from zero to nine, and a higher Kp indicates a stronger chance for northern lights. View image in full screen NOAA's forecast shows a strong chance of viewing the northern lights across Canada on June 25, 2025. NOAA Often, the aurora oval is contained to more northern parts of Canada, but places like southern Ontario and Quebec, as well as states like Oregon, South Dakota and New York, will have a chance to glimpse them if the conditions are right. To best view the aurora, it helps to get as far away from light pollution as possible and situate yourself in a north-facing vantage point, ideally so you can see the horizon. Of course, cloudy skies will always make a sighting less likely, as will the shorter summer nights, so your best chance to see them will be around midnight or into the early morning hours.
Time Out
03-06-2025
- Climate
- Time Out
These U.S. states could see the Northern Lights tonight
Another round of geomagnetic activity means the Northern Lights might once again make a surprise appearance tonight, June 3, in several American states. After two powerful coronal mass ejections (CMEs) slammed into Earth's magnetic field over the weekend, auroras lit up skies around the world, and the show's not over just yet. Forecasters at the U.K. Met Office say there's still a slight chance of a strong geomagnetic storm tonight, though minor to moderate conditions is more likely. The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center expects the Kp index (a measurement of geomagnetic activity) to peak at 4.67—strong enough to potentially push auroras farther south than usual. Alaska remains the best bet for skywatchers in the U.S., but if geomagnetic activity ramps up again, Northern Lights could stretch as far south as Illinois and Oregon. NOAA lists 13 U.S. states that are either fully or partially within the auroral viewing zone. Minnesota, Wisconsin, Montana and North Dakota are the most promising. But don't make any major travel plans: auroras are famously unpredictable. They can flare unexpectedly or fade without a trace. Cloud cover, light pollution and local weather will also play a role. Check NOAA's 3-day aurora forecast for real-time updates before you head out. Bottom line? If you're anywhere near the auroral oval tonight, keep an eye on the sky (and, ideally, seek out a north-facing vantage point far from urban light pollution for the best view). Even if the odds are slim, the payoff could be a jaw-dropping celestial show! 13 U.S. states that could see auroras tonight 1. Alaska 2. Minnesota 3. North Dakota 4. Montana 5. Wisconsin 6. Michigan (Upper Peninsula) 7. South Dakota 8. Maine 9. Vermont 10. New Hampshire 11. Idaho 12. Washington 13. Oregon
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Northern Lights may be visible in the Bay Area
The Brief A strong solar storm occurred on May 30, and charged particles from the sun have been approaching the Earth at extreme speeds. During this time there are greater chances of the Northern Lights moving into Northern California. The particles collide with gasses in the earth's atmosphere. Shades of red, blue, green, and pink can light up the dark sky during a Northern Lights show. SAN FRANCISCO - The Northern Lights are back! A strong solar storm occurred on May 30, and charged particles from the sun have been approaching the Earth at extreme speeds – about 4.3 million MPH. What they're saying Scientists from the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center are forecasting another big surge of charged particles on Sunday night between 8 p.m. and 11p.m. During this time, there are greater chances of the Northern Lights moving into Northern California. The phenomenon Northern Lights occur when a strong solar storm sends charged particles to the earth. The particles collide with gasses in the earth's atmosphere. Shades of red, blue, green, and pink can light up the dark sky during a Northern Lights show. The activity is usually focused near the poles. A strong solar storm can lead to more coverage around the world. If your area is free from clouds, look up to the sky after 9 p.m. on Sunday. Sunday sunset is at 8:26 p.m.
San Francisco Chronicle
01-06-2025
- Climate
- San Francisco Chronicle
Northern lights may be visible Sunday night over California. Here's the best way to see them
The northern lights were visible across unusually low latitudes of the U.S. on Saturday night and could even make an appearance across portions of California on Sunday night. Residents in Seattle were treated to a dazzling display of purple and green hues early Sunday morning. Webcams across Northern California picked up northern lights, scientifically known as the aurora borealis, on the horizon. The enhanced auroral activity is being caused by a 'severe' geomagnetic storm, a level 4 out of 5 on the Space Weather Prediction Center's scale. A G4 or greater geomagnetic storm watch remains in effect Sunday into Monday morning. At this intensity, the northern lights could again be visible in portions of Northern California, especially from long-exposure cameras. Skies are expected to be mainly clear across Northern California on Sunday night, but there will be a few scattered high clouds to contend with. Some patchy fog along the coast could also spoil visibility of the aurora. Areas away from city light pollution will provide the best viewing chances for the northern lights. A waxing crescent moon could also make the aurora more difficult to see with the naked eye. The ongoing solar storm is caused by coronal mass ejections, pulses of the sun's magnetic field lurching toward Earth. G4 watch remains in effect for tonight, June 1 (EDT), as CME passage continues. CME passage is slowly weakening, but conditions still elevated, therefore additional periods of G3-G4 remain possible, although less likely. Continue to visit for latest info — NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) June 1, 2025 'The G4 (Severe) geomagnetic storm watch remains in effect for tonight, June 1, as CME passage continues,' the Space Weather Prediction Center wrote. 'There are indications that the coronal mass ejection (CME) passage is weakening, but the solar wind conditions remain elevated, therefore additional periods of G3-G4 (Strong-Severe) levels remain possible.' According to the Space Weather Prediction Center, as 'CMEs leave the sun, it is possible to predict their path to determine if they will impact Earth. This technique is more challenging and the accuracy of these medium-range forecasts is not as good.' However, the aurora can be predicted 'quite accurately' 15 to 45 minutes in advance by measuring other astronomical conditions, such as the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field upstream of Earth. Strong coronal mass ejections can disrupt radio and satellite transmissions, potentially cause power outages and interfere with other pieces of infrastructure. Solar activity, which rises and falls on an 11-year cycle, is peaking. In May 2024, an extreme geomagnetic storm resulted in northern lights sightings all across California, even for some city dwellers. In October 2024, a severe geomagnetic storm brought another display to portions of the state, although less widespread than the May event. An average of 100 severe geomagnetic storms are classified as severe or greater in a typical 11-year solar cycle, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center.
Washington Post
31-05-2025
- Climate
- Washington Post
Solar storm could bring auroras as far south as Alabama on Sunday
The sun probably produced its best eruption of the year so far — and could bring an equally brilliant aurora as far south as Alabama if strong activity lasts until nightfall on Sunday. A 'severe' solar storm — rated a level 4 out of 5 — is expected to arrive on Earth any time from late morning to Sunday evening Eastern time, according to Saturday's forecast by NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. The timing will be refined as the storm approaches Earth, allowing scientists to gather more data on the storm's speed, direction and orientation.
