Bright northern lights may light up the skies tonight and tomorrow as we wrap up the year with a celestial spectacle. Skywatchers can look forward to a potential display of the aurora borealis, particularly across mid-latitudes, thanks to an incoming solar storm expected late December 30 through December 31.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm warning for December 31. This indicates promising conditions for those hoping to catch a glimpse of the northern lights, which could be visible as far south as states like Illinois and Oregon, around the 50° latitude line.
The source of this event is a coronal mass ejection (CME), a significant expulsion of plasma and magnetic fields from the sun that occurred on December 29. This CME, along with additional eruptions over recent days, is projected to interact with Earth’s magnetosphere, sparking geomagnetic activity. Solar astrophysicist Ryan French noted on social media that the sun has been more active recently, with notable solar flares, including a strong X-class flare, contributing to the conditions we can expect on the 31st.
When CMEs impact the Earth’s magnetic field, they release charged particles that collide with atmospheric gases — this reaction generates the stunning light displays we associate with the auroras. NOAA uses a G-scale to classify geomagnetic storms, with G1 indicating minor and G5 indicating extreme. The current forecasted storm is rated as G3, which suggests robust activity.
The timing of the storm is key: expect the highest levels of geomagnetic activity between 10 p.m. EST on December 30 and 10 a.m. EST on December 31, with additional activity forecasted in the late afternoon and evening of December 31.
It’s essential to remember that, like terrestrial weather, space weather can be unpredictable. Although geomagnetic storm warnings at this level are uncommon, there is a chance for them to pass without significant events.
For those eager to monitor the skies for possible aurora sightings, there are various apps available, such as “My Aurora Forecast & Alerts” and “Space Weather Live”, which provide real-time updates and forecasts tailored to your location.
As we close out another year, the potential for a dazzling natural lightshow serves as a beautiful reminder of the wonders of the universe. So tonight, keep your eyes on the skies and embrace the beauty that nature has to offer!