Latest news with #SWPC
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Geomagnetic Storm Watch issued with Northern Lights possible from New York to Washington state
NEW YORK – While the ground may feel like it's on fire as a heat dome continues to scorch the U.S. this week, the sky could resemble dancing flames Wednesday night and early Thursday as charged particles from the Sun are barreling toward our planet, creating the chance to see the Northern Lights. Forecasters with NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) have been monitoring a feature on the Sun known as a coronal hole – areas on the surface of the Sun with cooler, less dense plasma. These dark areas on the Sun, as seen in satellite images, can produce space weather events known as coronal hole high-speed streams (CH HSS), which can trigger Northern Lights on Earth. Due to the recurrent, negative polarity CH HSS influence, NOAA space weather forecasts are predicting minor (G1) to moderate (G2) geomagnetic storming between Wednesday and Thursday, based on NOAA's five-level scale. A Geomagnetic Storm Watch is in place through Thursday. What Causes The Northern Lights? Under these conditions, the Aurora Borealis may be seen across the northern tier of the U.S. and the Upper Midwest, in areas as far south as New York to Wisconsin to Washington state. If you're within the Northern Lights viewing area on late Wednesday or early Thursday, a dark sky will help your chances of seeing the bright dancing lights in the sky. Move away from city lights or turn off artificial light sources outside and look north. Even if you can't see the lights with the naked eye, use your smartphone's night mode, and you might be surprised by what you see. During severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storms, the lights could be seen as far south as the Gulf article source: Geomagnetic Storm Watch issued with Northern Lights possible from New York to Washington state
Global News
5 days ago
- Climate
- Global News
Look up! There's a strong chance northern lights will put on a show this week
Heads up, skywatchers! Scientists predict that the northern lights are about to put on a far-reaching show that should be visible across most of Canada, thanks to a coronal 'hole' in the sun that's sending a high-speed stream of charged particles toward Earth. These intense auroras are expected to dance across the night sky on June 25 and 26, reaching all the way down into the northern United States. Recurrent, negative polarity coronal hole high speed stream influence is likely to bring minor to moderate geomagnetic storming 25-26 June. — NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) June 23, 2025 Story continues below advertisement 'The aurora may become visible over some northern and upper Midwest states from New York to Idaho,' representatives for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) wrote in an update. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy According to the SWPC, the Kp index, a measure of geomagnetic activity, is forecast to peak at 5.67. The Kp index ranges from zero to nine, and a higher Kp indicates a stronger chance for northern lights. View image in full screen NOAA's forecast shows a strong chance of viewing the northern lights across Canada on June 25, 2025. NOAA Often, the aurora oval is contained to more northern parts of Canada, but places like southern Ontario and Quebec, as well as states like Oregon, South Dakota and New York, will have a chance to glimpse them if the conditions are right. To best view the aurora, it helps to get as far away from light pollution as possible and situate yourself in a north-facing vantage point, ideally so you can see the horizon. Of course, cloudy skies will always make a sighting less likely, as will the shorter summer nights, so your best chance to see them will be around midnight or into the early morning hours.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Northern Lights Visible for Up to 14 States Tonight
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Americans in multiple states may have a chance to see the northern lights on Wednesday. According to a forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), the aurora borealis could be visible in as many as 14 states tonight. Why It Matters While NOAA's forecast doesn't ensure a sighting, it offers a somewhat rare chance for residents of states ranging from Washington to Maine to witness the northern lights. What To Know According to the SWPC's viewline forecast, the aurora borealis may be visible over parts of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. The SWPC explains that the northern lights occur when electrons collide with the upper parts of Earth's atmosphere. These electrons get a boost of energy in a region of Earth's magnetic field on the night side of the planet. Once energized, they travel along the magnetic field toward the polar areas. When they hit gases like oxygen and nitrogen high in the sky, they pass their energy to those gases, which "excites" them. As the gases calm back down, they release that energy as glowing light. During "large" events, the aurora may be visible as far south as parts of the U.S., Europe, and Asia. In "very large" events, it can be seen even farther away from the polar regions. In addition to clear skies, visibility depends on variables such as low light pollution and the intensity of the aurora at any given time. Even in areas within the forecast's visibility band, cloud cover or city lights could prevent a sighting. The Space Weather Prediction Center's viewline forecast for Wednesday night. The Space Weather Prediction Center's viewline forecast for Wednesday night. SWPC What People Are Saying Space Weather Prediction Center operations chief Mike Bettwy previously told Newsweek: "General tips include viewing late at night, away from city lights, and taking pictures with your iPhone or other technology since the aurora may be visible on those devices even though the human eye may not always detect it." The Space Weather Prediction Center says: "The aurora is not visible during daylight hours. The aurora does not need to be directly overhead but can be observed from as much as 1000 km away when the aurora is bright and if conditions are right." What Happens Next The SWPC issues frequent forecast updates. Anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis should consult the latest outlook and head to dark, clear spots with a good view of the northern horizon.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Northern lights alert: Auroras to light up the sky in these 14 US states
If you haven't heard about the upcoming northern lights yet, we have good news for you! Sky gazers, mark your calendars — there's an increased likelihood of auroras lighting up the sky across 14 states on June 25. Here's all you need to know: Northern lights to light up skies this week The stream of solar wind from a coronal hole on the Sun is forecast to spark G1 to G2 (Minor to Moderate) geomagnetic storms, leading to aurora lighting up the night sky. As per NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), the aurora 'may become visible over some northern and upper Midwest states from New York to Idaho.' Also Read: Aurora borealis alert: These US states may see northern lights tonight amid geomagnetic storm It added, 'A Coronal Hole (CH) is a less dense area in the solar corona. They appear dark because they are cooler. Solar wind escapes from these features at higher speeds, known as High Speed Streams (HSS). When they arrive at Earth, escalated geomagnetic activity may result. Watches of this level are not uncommon. These 14 states to witness northern lights on June 25 Alaska has the highest chance of witnessing the northern lights on June 25, according to As per NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), the 14 states where auroras could be visible are: Alaska Minnesota North Dakota Montana Maine Michigan Wisconsin Vermont New Hampshire Washington Oregon Idaho New York South Dakota FAQs: 1. When will Northern Lights dominate the sky? The aurora will be seen on June 25. 2. In how many states can you witness the aurora? Aurora chasers in 14 US States will be able to see the northern lights. 3. Which are the states where you can see the northern lights? As per NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), the 14 states from where the aurora might be visible are Alaska, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Maine, Michigan, Wisconsin, Vermont, New Hampshire, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, New York and South Dakota.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Climate
- USA Today
Multiple states could see northern lights this week. See map.
More than a dozen states could get the chance to see the northern lights this week, forecasts show. The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, may be visible in as many as 15 northern states between Tuesday night, June 24 and Wednesday night, June 25, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). Most of Canada will also have a chance to see the lights. While the likelihood of seeing the northern lights will be low for most of the U.S. on Tuesday and Wednesday, Alaska and states near the Canadian border will have a higher chance of seeing the lights. When could the northern lights be visible? The northern lights could be visible in certain states on Tuesday night, June 24, and Wednesday night, June 25, according to SPWC. Which states could see the northern lights? The maps below identify where aurora could be visible. Areas under a red shading have a higher chance to see northern lights, while areas under a green shading have a lower chance. The NOAA says the red "view line" marks the southernmost extent where aurora might be seen on the northern horizon. While more than a dozen states have a chance to see the northern lights on Tuesday and Wednesday, Alaska has the greatest chance to see the spectacle, followed by parts of the following states: Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn,X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@
