The Northern Lights could be visible in the Mid-Atlantic tonight thanks to a strong geomagnetic storm approaching earth.
The space weather prediction center has placed us under a g4 storm watch due it.
While we have observed previous g4 strength geomagnetic storms over the last few years, the g4 storm watch is the first one issued since January 2005.
The area responsible for the watch is a sunspot complex 16 times the size of the earth and it has been ejecting strong flares since Wednesday.
These flares are expected to reach earth by late Friday night and overnight into Saturday. The energy associated with these flares can cause the northern lights to be visible on the horizon in areas like Maryland and Pennsylvania.
While these strong flares can cause issues with certain communication devices... Cellphones are not expected to be directly impacted.
If you are testing your luck and want to see the auroras, be sure to view north towards the horizon and stay as far from urbanized areas where lights could impact your view.
Also, be sure to have clear skies.
The space weather prediction center has placed us under a g4 storm watch due it.
While we have observed previous g4 strength geomagnetic storms over the last few years, the g4 storm watch is the first one issued since January 2005.
The area responsible for the watch is a sunspot complex 16 times the size of the earth and it has been ejecting strong flares since Wednesday.
These flares are expected to reach earth by late Friday night and overnight into Saturday. The energy associated with these flares can cause the northern lights to be visible on the horizon in areas like Maryland and Pennsylvania.
While these strong flares can cause issues with certain communication devices... Cellphones are not expected to be directly impacted.
If you are testing your luck and want to see the auroras, be sure to view north towards the horizon and stay as far from urbanized areas where lights could impact your view.
Also, be sure to have clear skies.
