Latest news with #SpaceWeatherPredictionCenter
Yahoo
5 hours 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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Northern lights in the US: When and where to catch the Aurora Borealis this year
Hey there, sky gazers! If you've ever dreamed of witnessing the mesmerizing dance of the Northern Lights, you're in luck. Thanks to a powerful geomagnetic storm, the aurora borealis is lighting up the night sky across much of the United States. This rare event is offering a chance to see the lights much farther south than usual. So, grab your warmest jacket and a thermos of cocoa—here's where to catch the show. Aurora alert On June 1, 2025, a severe geomagnetic storm (level G4 out of 5) will hit Earth, triggered by a massive coronal mass ejection from the sun. This storm has disturbed Earth's magnetic field, causing the aurora to be visible much farther south than usual. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a "severe geomagnetic storm watch," indicating a high probability of visible auroras. Where can one see the Northern lights Normally, the aurora keeps to its usual hangout spots up near the Arctic. But not this time. This storm has stretched its reach big time, and people all across the U.S. are catching rare glimpses. Here's where you've got a solid shot at seeing them: Pacific Northwest Washington, Oregon, and even Northern California are lighting up—literally. If you're near Mount Rainier or Crater Lake, don't miss it. Midwest Folks in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan have already reported seeing the sky do its neon dance. You might catch those green and purple ribbons from your own backyard! Northern California Yep, the Bay Area is glowing again! That's two years in a row now. Maybe NorCal's secretly the new aurora capital? Mid-Atlantic & Ohio Valley Even in spots like Virginia and Ohio, the skies have stayed clear enough for some lucky viewers to catch the lights. Shenandoah and Wayne National Forest are great picks if you're in that area. How to maximize your viewing experience If you're gonna go aurora-hunting, here's how to boost your chances of a killer view: Go dark and high: Find a place far from city lights—parks, nature preserves, hills—anywhere that's dark and elevated. Check the weather: No one wants to get hyped for auroras just to see clouds. Clear skies only, please. Timing matters: Your best bet is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. Don't show up too early or pack it in too soon. Pack snacks & be chill: Sometimes the aurora makes a grand entrance, sometimes she's fashionably late. Bring a blanket, some hot drinks, and make a night of it. Be patient: Aurora displays can be brief. Bring a blanket, some snacks, and enjoy the wait. The breathtaking view Every aurora looks a little different. The colors and shapes you'll see depend on where you are and how strong the storm is. If you're farther south, you're more likely to see red glows instead of the classic green. And the lights might move slower or be a bit dimmer—but hey, they're still magical. Oh, and here's a pro tip: even if your eyes don't catch much, your phone camera might. Set it to night mode and let it work its magic. Some people have spotted auroras in their photos when they couldn't see them in real life!
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Northern lights in Michigan: Aurora borealis possible Sunday night
The Brief A severe geomagnetic storm could bring a brilliant Northern Lights display to Michigan Sunday night. Michigan is expected to have clear skies, offering favorable conditions for aurora viewing. While already strong, there's a chance the storm could intensify to a G5, potentially increasing aurora visibility even further. DETROIT (FOX 2) - A powerful geomagnetic storm could mean a brilliant show in the skies of Michigan Sunday night. According to the Space Weather Prediction Center, a powerful burst erupted from the sun Friday night, triggering a "severe" geomagnetic storm watch. What we know The geomagnetic storm is rated G4, so it's not as severe as the G5 storm that led to stunning displays across the southern U.S. on May 10. That storm sent northern lights as far south as Texas on Sunday morning – and it's expected to continue later in the night on Sunday, FOX Weather reports. Even better news? We expect clear skies all Sunday night. The cloud-cover forecast is favorable for much of the United States – including Michigan, where it's expected to be brightest in the Midwest. What you can do Your best bet to see the northern lights is to get away from the city and light pollution. The farther north you go, the more likely it is you will see the glow on the northern horizon. What we don't know There's a chance the storm could reach level G5, which could lead to even more aurora visibility, but whether that happens remains to be seen. The backstory The sun's intense magnetic energy is the source of solar flares and eruptions of plasma known as coronal mass ejections. When directed toward Earth, they can create stunning auroras but also disrupt power and communications. Galileo was among the first astronomers to turn a telescope skyward and study sunspots, back in the early 1600s. Solar flares and coronal mass ejections tend to occur near sunspots, dark patches as big as Earth that are located near the most intense portions of the sun's shifting magnetic field. A solar cycle is a sequence the sun's magnetic field goes through every 11 years, when the field flips. Geomagnetic storms could become more frequent over the next year as the sun begins to move into the solar maximum phase of its 11-year cycle. The Source This report includes information from FOX Weather, LiveNOW from FOX, and the Space Weather Prediction Center.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Northern lights may be visible over Massachusetts tonight. Here's a look at the forecast map
A strong geomagnetic storm means that there is a chance you'll catch the northern lights tonight in Massachusetts tonight. "The G4 (Severe) geomagnetic storm watch remains in effect for tonight, June 1st (EDT), as CME passage continues," the Space Weather Prediction Center said in a 2 p.m. alert on June 1. "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. However, we now anticipate that conditions should weaken enough by tomorrow evening, June 2nd (EDT), that G1 (Minor) storm levels is the most likely peak response." The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center prediction map is showing that most of Massachusetts has a chance of seeing the lights tonight. The question is, will the weather cooperate? AccuWeather is currently forecasting mainly clear skies for tonight, despite some spotty showers during the day. So, if the lights reach as far south at Massachusetts, there's a chance. The sun is currently at solar maximum, according to NASA, the peak of activity in its natural cycle, which is creating more opportunities to see the northern lights. Here's what to know. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) aurora forecast, the northern lights may be viewable in Massachusetts, though some of the southeastern portion of the state may have a hard time seeing it. Northern New England and New York have even better odds. The northern lights are typically most visible between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. according to NOAA. "Best aurora is usually within an hour or two of midnight (between 10 PM and 2 AM local time)," the said. "These hours of active aurora expand towards evening and morning as the level of geomagnetic activity increases. There may be aurora in the evening and morning but it is usually not as active and therefore, not as visually appealing." As always, dark skies make for better stargazing. "We typically suggest getting away from cities and find a open field or hilltop to lay out under the stars and wait for the show to really peak at the late evening or early morning hours," Massachusetts Institute of Technology Technical Instructor and Observatory Manager Tim Brothers said in a past interview with Wicked Local. He continued, "In New England, heading for a local conservation area or park that keeps lighting off at night is ideal. Another option is a coastline away from the larger cities — the benefit being that the constellation where you will see most of the 'shooting stars.'" If you want a chance at seeing the Northern Lights, here are some websites you can monitor the sun's activity: The Space Weather Prediction Center Aurora forecast page (NOAA) Aurora Reach Aurora Alerts This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Northern lights may be visible in MA tonight. See map, weather
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Aurora borealis could be seen as far South as Alabama tonight: What to know
The Brief The Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and even the deep South could be in for an aurora borealis treat Sunday night. A strong geomagnetic storm could make northern lights visible to much of the U.S. There's a chance it could reach G5 levels, which led to stunning displays across the southern U.S. on May 10. A strong geomagnetic storm could set the stage for rare northern lights displays as far south as Alabama and California overnight Sunday into Monday morning. According to the Space Weather Prediction Center, a powerful burst erupted from the sun Friday night, triggering a "severe" geomagnetic storm watch. What we know The geomagnetic storm is rated G4, so it's not as severe as the G5 storm that led to stunning displays across the southern U.S. on May 10 – yet. Northern lights were seen as far south as Texas early Sunday morning, and the conditions are expected to continue Sunday night, FOX Weather reports. FOX Weather says the cloud-cover forecast is favorable across much of the U.S, including the South, though the lights will likely be the brightest in northern states like Washington and Michigan. The Midwest and Mid-Atlantic could also be good places to see the aurora, but the desert Southwest and the Northeast are expected to be cloudy. RELATED: Here's what to watch for in the early-summer night skies What we don't know There's a chance the storm could reach level G5, which could lead to even more aurora visibility, but whether that happens remains to be seen. What you can do You can follow the Space Weather Prediction Center for updates on storm levels and predictions for the aurora borealis. The backstory The sun's intense magnetic energy is the source of solar flares and eruptions of plasma known as coronal mass ejections. When directed toward Earth, they can create stunning auroras but also disrupt power and communications. Galileo was among the first astronomers to turn a telescope skyward and study sunspots, back in the early 1600s. Solar flares and coronal mass ejections tend to occur near sunspots, dark patches as big as Earth that are located near the most intense portions of the sun's shifting magnetic field. A solar cycle is a sequence the sun's magnetic field goes through every 11 years, when the field flips. Geomagnetic storms could become more frequent over the next year as the sun begins to move into the solar maximum phase of its 11-year cycle. Dig deeper Northern lights have no impact on human health, but they can potentially cause problems with voltage control, the power grid, low-Earth orbit satellites and high-frequency radio signals, according to FOX Weather. The Source This report includes information from FOX Weather, the Space Weather Prediction Center and previous LiveNow from FOX reporting.
