Geomagnetic storm may illuminate skies with Northern Lights into southern U.S.

In a stunning display of nature’s power, the Earth is experiencing a significant geomagnetic storm following powerful solar emissions.

The phenomena could extend the usually secluded spectacle of the Northern Lights to regions as unexpected as Alabama and Northern California by Monday evening.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) sounded the alarm Sunday with a Geomagnetic Storm Alert. This alert was in response to an X 1.1 class solar flare observed by Sun-monitoring satellites and a subsequent detection of a coronal hole high-speed stream, known as CH HSS.

“The public should not anticipate adverse impacts, and no action is necessary, but they should stay properly informed of storm progression by visiting our webpage,” the SWPC said Sunday.

Auroras, commonly referred to as Northern and Southern Lights, paint the sky when the solar wind — a stream of charged particles ejected from the Sun — meets with Earth’s magnetic field and upper atmosphere.

The intensity of the auroras is ranked on a five-level geomagnetic storm scale. Initially, experts anticipated levels shifting between G1, a minor storm, and G2, a moderate storm, with predictions of strengthening to G3 as the event progressed.

Contrary to expectations, the SWPC reported severe G4-category conditions within the last day — one level shy of the maximum — and advises that this could persist through Monday.

Under normal circumstances, a G1-rated storm results in Northern Lights over Canada and parts of Alaska. However, a G3 storm has the potential to exhibit auroral displays as far south as states such as Washington and New York, providing the skies are clear. The rare G4 conditions already observed suggest the Northern Lights may shine across much broader swathes of the United States.

Drawing parallels with an event in December, space experts indicate that the current storm, combined with a high Kp index, may produce Northern Lights sightings unusually far south, even potentially reaching Las Vegas. A Kp index rating of 6 is expected, which could place cities such as Seattle, Minneapolis and Syracuse, New York, in the heart of the viewing area.