The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the “severe level” of aurora expected Friday night is “a very rare event.”
Topline
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a severe geomagnetic storm watch for Saturday and, as a result, much of the northern part of the country may be able to see the northern lights in an “unusual and potentially historic event.”Key Facts
Geomagnetic storms happen when material erupts from the sun’s atmosphere, creating disturbances to the Earth’s magnetic fields and occasionally triggering “spectacular displays of aurora,” also known as the northern lights.
Scientists said Friday night’s aurora may be visible as far south as Alabama and Northern California, and conditions could continue through the weekend.
The geomagnetic activity of the aurora is expected to be an eight on a scale of nine on Friday night, and a five Saturday night, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center, with the line of visibility passing through Oregon, Colorado, Illinois, Pennsylvania and more.
