Tallahassee may have another opportunity to witness the northern lights, although local National Weather Service forecasters recommend keeping expectations modest while maintaining hope.
The potential for a second display arises from a significant solar eruption that is moving towards Earth, which could lead to stunning auroras visible in the night sky around the world, as reported by USA TODAY.
This vibrant phenomenon, known as the aurora borealis, can sometimes be seen further south due to a “severe” geomagnetic storm indicated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A coronal mass ejection of charged particles and plasma has led NOAA’s Space Prediction Center to issue a rare G4 geomagnetic storm watch for the second time this year.
The last occurrence of such a watch, which took place on May 10, coincided with Taclawahassee’s previous sighting of the northern lights. Interestingly, tonight’s solar event follows shortly after Hurricane Milton caused significant damage in central Florida. Notably, the last instance of auroras seen in the Deep South happened shortly after the tornado outbreak in Tallahassee.
Adding to the optimism, local meteorologist Wright Dobbs captured images of the aurora display over Bainbridge, Georgia, which is approximately 40 miles from Tallahassee, early Thursday evening.
For those hoping to view the northern lights, forecasters have shared tips on social media. They noted that if auroras reach this region, they tend to be faint, so the best viewing method is through long exposure photography. Taking a phone picture in night mode can yield similar results.
To enhance the experience, it’s advisable to find a location away from city lights with dark skies. However, predicting the timing of auroras is challenging. The general recommendation is to settle into a dark area for several hours, as auroras can appear and vanish within a short time frame.
Tonight, Tallahassee is expected to have just 5% cloud cover, with temperatures starting in the 70s and dropping into the 60s. The NWS commented on social media, “Will we see something like this again? No one knows for sure, but at least the weather will be nice!”
While spotting the northern lights in Florida can be difficult, adjusting to the darkness might allow viewers to see a faint pink hue. For those looking to capture the moment, Tallahassee Democrat photojournalist Alicia Devine offered advice on using the night mode feature on smartphones to take steady three-second exposures.
Arianna Otero is the City Solutions Reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact her via email at AOtero@tallahassee.com or on Twitter/X: @ari_v_otero.