Current:Home > ScamsNorthern lights forecast: Aurora borealis may appear in multiple US states, NOAA says-LoTradeCoin
Northern lights forecast: Aurora borealis may appear in multiple US states, NOAA says
lotradecoin securities View Date:2025-01-12 16:43:24
The aurora borealis, the famous display better known as the northern lights, may become visible Wednesday night across the northwestern U.S. and some midwestern states.
The stunning phenomenon that features a display of greenish and reddish hues have occurred with relative frequency in recent months. And skygazers who revel in glimpsing the striking sight are in luck, as the northern lights may only become visible more and more often.
Electromagnetic activity is increasing as the sun continues to reach the height of its 11-year solar cycle, which NASA said is expected to be in 2025. What that so-called "solar maximum" means for us is that the risk increases for disruption to satellite signals, radio communications, internet and electrical power grids.
But so too does the potential to see some of these impressive northern lights displays.
Here's how to spot the northern lights potentially on Wednesday:
Where are northern lights forecast to be most visible?
The coronal mass ejections – clouds of plasma and charged particles – making their way toward our planet could be strong enough drive a geomagnetic storm that makes the auroras visible.
Forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration use a five-level 'G scale' to measure the intensity of geomagnetic storms, which are caused when coronal mass ejections release solar particles and electromagnetic radiation toward our planet. On Wednesday, the agency extended Tuesday's minor G1 geomagnetic storm watch that could unveil the northern lights.
The aurora has a Kp index five, meaning the auroras will move from the poles and will appear brighter and more active if weather conditions are optimal, according to NOAA. The phenomenon may be visible in North America, including Canada, Alaska and some of the lower 48 states such as Michigan and Maine, NOAA said.
Other states within the aurora’s view line include Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin, according to NOAA's imagery.
When can you see the northern lights?
The upcoming solar storm will have particles flowing from the sun that get caught up in Earth's magnetic field, causing colorful auroras to form as they interact with molecules of atmospheric gases. The resulting glowing green and reddish colors of the aurora may be quite a sight to see – if you look up at the right time.
If the weather is clear, the best aurora is usually visible within an hour or two of midnight, according to NOAA.
The agency maintains an aurora dashboard that should help skygazers track the phenomenon.
What are the Northern Lights?
The auroras are a natural light display in Earth's sky that are famously best seen in high-latitude regions.
As auroras form, Earth's magnetic field redirects the particles toward the poles through a process that produces a stunning display of rays, spirals and flickers that has fascinated humans for millennia.
In May, a rare powerful geomagnetic storm unleashed spectacular views of the northern lights visible to skygazers in the U.S. and across the world. The celestial show came after NOAA issued a rare storm watch for the first time in 19 years for a geomagnetic storm classified as a G4 – a single level away from being the most severe solar storm possible.
Because the sun is at the height of its 11-year cycle, the storm also created optimal conditions for the auroras to put on a light show for far more Americans than usual.
The phenomenon was also notably visible again in August during the Perseids, considered among astronomers to be the best meteor shower of the year.
Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected]
veryGood! (88376)
Related
- North Carolina announces 5
- How Tom Brady Honored Exes Gisele Bündchen and Bridget Moynahan on Mother's Day 2023
- With telehealth abortion, doctors have to learn to trust and empower patients
- An Ambitious Global Effort to Cut Shipping Emissions Stalls
- Michael Bublé Details Heartwarming Moment With Taylor Swift’s Parents at Eras Tour
- Mayor Eric Adams signs executive order protecting gender-affirming care in New York City
- Acid poured on slides at Massachusetts playground; children suffer burns
- Don't think of Africa as a hungry child, says a champion of Africa's food prowess
- Sabrina Carpenter Shares Her Self
- Chrissy Teigen Says Children Luna and Miles Are Thriving as Big Siblings to Baby Esti
Ranking
- Secretary of State Blinken is returning to the Mideast in his latest diplomatic foray
- Students harassed with racist taunts, Confederate flag images in Kentucky school district, Justice Department says
- Qantas on Brink of £200m Biojet Fuel Joint Venture
- Got neck and back pain? Break up your work day with these 5 exercises for relief
- 'Secret Level' creators talk new video game Amazon series, that Pac
- Martha Stewart Reacts to Landing Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Cover at Age 81
- The FDA no longer requires all drugs to be tested on animals before human trials
- Sunnylife’s Long Weekend Must-Haves Make Any Day a Day at the Beach
Recommendation
-
North Carolina announces 5
-
Matty Healy Resurfaces on Taylor Swift's Era Tour Amid Romance Rumors
-
Don't 'get' art? You might be looking at it wrong
-
U.S. Starts Process to Open Arctic to Offshore Drilling, Despite Federal Lawsuit
-
The brewing recovery in Western North Carolina
-
Global Warming Is Messing with the Jet Stream. That Means More Extreme Weather.
-
You'll Burn for Jonathan Bailey in This First Look at Him on the Wicked Set With Ariana Grande
-
FDA approves Alzheimer's drug that appears to modestly slow disease