Days after the most powerful solar flare in six years impacted parts of the world, NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center warns that the Earth may be in for more geomagnetic impacts, including a display of the Northern Lights.
The National Weather Service has issued a Geomagnetic Storm Watch for increased solar activity until at least Sunday, December 17.
Multiple coronal mass ejections from the Sun have been observed by experts, sending plasma particles hurling toward Earth.
“Multiple CMEs from December 14 and 15 are likely to cause G1-G2 (Minor-Moderate) geomagnetic storm conditions on December 16–17,” NOAA said during a Friday update.
If the event is underappreciated, communities further south may be able to see the northern lights
According to early indications from the agency, the event could register a 6 on the Kp index scale, which ranges from 0 to 9.
Previous events of this magnitude have caused green, red, and even purple dancing colors to be visible from Seattle to Minneapolis and Buffalo, New York.
Clouds and light pollution are known to obstruct viewing and limit the range of where the auroras can be seen.
If the event is underappreciated, communities further south may be able to see the northern lights. A larger solar event would allow the light show to be seen in cities such as Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay, and Des Moines, Iowa.
The geomagnetic storm, in addition to producing auroras, has the potential to disrupt power grids, spacecraft, and communication equipment.
According to NOAA, electric transformer damage is possible, and radio signals may fade during a long-duration event.
The event was expected to reach a level of G2 on NOAA’s 5-point scale of geomagnetic activity at the time of the last report.
An event that reaches G2 is considered moderate, but if it reaches G3, the activity is considered strong and has broader implications.
Solar activity, including coronal mass ejections and solar flares, has increased as Solar Cycle 25 approaches its expected peak in 2024.
A solar cycle is a sequence through which the Sun’s magnetic field flips every 11 years. Solar Cycle 25 began in 2019 and is expected to last until 2030 if predictions are correct.
