Historic Solar Storm to Paint US Skies with Northern Lights This Week
Get ready for a spectacular light show across American skies. A massive solar radiation storm is currently hitting Earth. Weather experts call this the most powerful event of its kind in more than two decades.
The Storm's Power and Scale
The National Weather Service's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) is actively monitoring the situation. They have ranked this solar radiation storm as a level four on a five-point severity scale. This classification makes it an S4 severe event.
The SWPC confirmed this is the largest solar radiation storm observed since 2003. The last time scientists recorded S4 levels was in October of that year. The center posted this information directly on social media platform X.
Forecasters expect the storm to continue for several days. Its effects will be significant. High-frequency radio communications will likely be completely disrupted in the polar regions. There is also an increased health risk for passengers and crew aboard high-altitude aircraft.
Preparations and Warnings
Authorities are not taking any chances. The SWPC has issued alerts to numerous critical organizations. They have notified airlines, NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation and other infrastructure operators have also received warnings.
Shawn Dahl, a forecaster at the SWPC, explained their proactive approach. "We've been making all these phone calls," Dahl told CNN. "Our goal is to ensure every critical technological infrastructure operator knows exactly what is happening."
Where to See the Northern Lights
The most visible and beautiful effect for the public will be the aurora borealis, or northern lights. This geomagnetic activity will push the dazzling displays much further south than usual.
Space weather forecasters have created a map showing predicted visibility for Monday night. The general rule is simple: the further north you are, the better your chances of seeing the lights. However, this storm is so powerful that many southern regions will have a rare opportunity.
Based on the latest forecasts, the northern lights are expected to be visible across a vast portion of the United States. The list of states includes:
- Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming
- North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, northern Kansas
- Minnesota, Iowa, northern Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan
- Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York
- New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts
- Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Alaska
Residents in these areas should look to the skies on Monday evening and into the early hours of Tuesday morning. The aurora could appear as shimmering curtains of green, pink, or purple light dancing across the horizon.
This celestial event serves as a powerful reminder of our sun's dynamic nature. While it poses some operational challenges, it also offers a breathtaking natural spectacle for millions of Americans.
