Aurora Borealis Predicted for Northern US

Historic Geomagnetic Storm Brings Northern Lights to Southern Skies

May 10, 2024 - Brandenburg, Sieversdorf

Breathtaking light green and violet-reddish auroras illuminated the night sky in Brandenburg, Germany, on the night of May 10th. The display was a result of an extreme geomagnetic storm classified as a G5 for the first time since 2003.

For weeks, the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) had been monitoring an active region on the Sun known as AR3210. The region produced numerous solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which traveled toward Earth.

As the CMEs approached Earth, the SWPC issued a geomagnetic storm warning, predicting that the storm could disrupt power grids, communication systems, and even satellites. Forecasters predicted that the aurora borealis could be visible throughout much of the northern US and as far south as Alabama.

The prediction proved to be accurate. On Friday night, residents of North Alabama and other southern states reported seeing the aurora dancing across the sky. The display was described as "incredible" and "awe-inspiring."

Experts recommend traveling away from city lights to experience the full brightness of the aurora. The lights are expected to be visible again on Saturday night, depending on weather conditions.

The SWPC currently predicts that the solar storm could start as early as 8 p.m. EDT on Thursday, May 11th. The storm is expected to peak on Friday morning, May 12th, and subside over the weekend.

The aurora borealis is a natural phenomenon that occurs when charged particles from the Sun interact with Earth's magnetic field. The particles are guided by the field lines toward the poles, where they collide with atoms and molecules in the atmosphere, causing them to emit light.

The extreme geomagnetic storm on May 10th was a reminder of the Sun's power and its potential impact on Earth. The display of the aurora borealis was a spectacular example of the beauty and wonder of nature.