Northern Lights May Be Visible in Northern California Due to Rare Geomagnetic Storm

Northern California might witness the spectacular northern lights tomorrow night, thanks to a significant geomagnetic storm. The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has issued a G4 geomagnetic storm watch, indicating intense solar activity that could make the aurora borealis visible far south of its usual range.

The SWPC’s alert follows an active period of solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that have occurred since early May. These solar events, while not as powerful as the X5 flare on New Year’s Eve, have still been strong enough to trigger multiple geomagnetic storm warnings.

The latest CMEs are expected to interact and reach Earth by late May 10th or early May 11th, enhancing the chances of seeing the northern lights across much of the northern half of the United States, including as far south as Alabama and potentially Northern California.

Solar flares and CMEs are significant contributors to geomagnetic storms, which occur when these solar emissions hit the Earth’s magnetic field. The interaction causes disturbances in the magnetosphere, leading to the awe-inspiring displays of the northern lights. Typically seen closer to the poles, significant geomagnetic storms can push the aurora to lower latitudes.

For Northern California residents, this could be a unique opportunity to view the northern lights, a phenomenon more commonly associated with far northern or southern latitudes. The visibility of the aurora borealis depends on several factors, including the intensity of the storm, local weather conditions, and the time of night.

Experts recommend that those hoping to catch a glimpse of the northern lights find a dark area away from city lights and look towards the northern horizon. The further north you go, the better. The peak time to watch for the aurora will likely be late on May 10th into the early hours of May 11th, depending on the arrival time of the geomagnetic storm.

This event is part of the larger Solar Cycle 25, an 11-year cycle during which the sun’s magnetic field flips. This cycle often leads to increased solar activity and subsequently, more frequent opportunities to witness the northern lights. NOAA provides daily forecasts and updates, which can be crucial for aurora watchers looking to make the most of these natural light displays.