Aurora Forecast: Northern Lights Expected Across U.S., Including New York
The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center reports a strong geomagnetic storm is currently underway. This storm is causing the aurora borealis, or northern lights, to be visible across the northern United States and possibly extending into some central states.
Geographic Range of Visibility
The highest chance to witness the northern lights stretches from New York in the east to Washington state in the west. The aurora may also be seen as far south as Wyoming, Nebraska, and Iowa, according to NOAA's forecast map.
Factors Affecting Visibility
- The visibility depends on the storm's intensity and weather conditions.
- Clear skies and a stronger geomagnetic storm increase the likelihood of sightings.
Storm Intensity Details
On early Thursday morning, NOAA confirmed a "G3" geomagnetic storm was in progress. This scale ranges from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme).
"A larger disturbance in Earth's magnetic field. It can vary in intensity between lower levels and strong storm conditions over the course of hours to a day during the event duration."
Additional Impacts
Besides enhancing aurora visibility, strong geomagnetic storms might disrupt technology, causing fluctuations in power grids and satellite interference, which can affect GPS accuracy.
Author’s Summary
A strong geomagnetic storm is enhancing northern lights visibility across many U.S. states while also posing risks to power and satellite systems.