Aurora forecast: Northern lights likely across US, including New York
The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center reports an ongoing strong geomagnetic storm. This event increases the chance of seeing the aurora borealis, or northern lights, across the northern United States and some central states on Thursday and Friday.
Visibility and Location
The best chances to witness the northern lights span from New York in the east to Washington state in the west. The visibility zone stretches as far south as Wyoming, Nebraska, and Iowa, based on a forecast from NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center.
Factors Affecting Sightings
- The intensity of the geomagnetic storm significantly affects visibility.
- Clear night skies are critical for viewing the aurora.
Storm Details
"Early on Thursday morning, the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center said a 'G3' geomagnetic storm was now in progress. The scale runs from G1, minor, to G5, extreme. This is 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,' NOAA said in its Geomagnetic Storm Alert."
Impacts Beyond the Sky
Besides producing striking auroras, strong geomagnetic storms may disrupt technology by causing fluctuations in power grids and interfering with satellites, which can degrade GPS signals.
Summary: A G3 geomagnetic storm is increasing the likelihood of visible northern lights across much of the US, with the clearest views expected in northern and central states, though technology disruptions are possible.