Sun Sep 15 10:04:48 UTC 2024: ## Northern Lights Could Light Up Skies as Far South as California This Week

**Sheridan, NY -** Get ready for a celestial spectacle! The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, could be visible as far south as California, Missouri, and Colorado on Monday, September 16th, thanks to a strong solar storm expected to hit Earth.

The spectacle is being triggered by a powerful X4.5 class solar flare that erupted from the sun on Saturday, September 14th, followed by a coronal mass ejection (CME) that sent a cloud of charged particles hurtling towards Earth. This CME is predicted to arrive on Monday, causing a “strong” G3-class geomagnetic storm.

While a G3 storm is typically visible as far south as Illinois and Oregon, the current solar activity, at a 23-year high, could bring the auroral display even further south.

“Close to September’s equinox, there’s a greater chance of Northern Lights because any magnetic disturbance can have a more significant effect,” explained space weather experts. This is due to a connection between Earth’s magnetic field and that of the solar wind.

The best chances for viewing the aurora will be in areas with dark skies, away from urban light pollution. The waxing gibbous moon might make viewing a bit more challenging, so finding a location with a dark northern horizon will be key.

While the aurora is a beautiful sight, it’s important to remember that solar storms can also cause disruptions. Strong geomagnetic storms can potentially damage power transmission lines, oil and gas pipelines, railways, and submarine cables.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting that geomagnetic storm conditions could continue through Tuesday, September 17th, though space weather is unpredictable and the forecast can change quickly.

For the latest predictions and viewing guidelines, check NOAA’s aurora view line, 30-minute forecast, and X account.

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