A once in a generation, or bigger, geomagnetic storm is headed our way! It will produce fantastic evening views of auroral displays over areas running from Alaska and Northwest Territories to Alberta to Ontario to New York and New England. On Monday night, residents in these areas may experience the colorful nocturnal spectacle. This dazzling spectacle will be due to a huge solar storm that will hit the Earth’s magnetic field. With potential impacts of this storm reaching much farther south than normal, it is a rare opportunity to catch some of these effects in view.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center has begun issuing space weather forecasts. These are warnings that extreme geomagnetic and solar radiation storms are already in progress! Shawn Dahl, the service coordinator at the NOAA center, noted that the intensity of this storm has not been seen in over two decades. Auroras might illuminate a massive swath of the U.S. They might even show up in areas that typically experience these beautiful blooms only rarely.
The geomagnetic storm is expected to maintain its intensity level through at least Tuesday. This presents a rare opportunity for long-term viewing to skywatchers. Last November, similar solar storms granted audiences in Europe stunning auroras, which were spotted as far south as Hungary and the United Kingdom. That event was an incredible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Americans. They were able to witness the magnificent beauty of these atmospheric phenomena across fields from states such as Kansas, Colorado, and Texas.
This year’s Better Block event is especially significant given the storm’s anticipated path. Normally, auroras do not venture south of the northern latitudes. This latest storm could force these gorgeous light shows much farther south than normal, making it a once-in-a-lifetime experience for both stargazers and weekend warriors alike!
And as Monday night approaches, millions will be looking forward to seeing this amazing natural phenomenon for the first time. Under the proper conditions, even urban centers with no chance of seeing auroral activity are completely changed. Instead, they might be anesthetized by the bewildering brilliance of colors prancing through the nocturnal sky.