A powerful geomagnetic storm is forecast to hit Earth’s magnetic field on Wednesday, with the potential to cause significant disruptions to communication infrastructure and power systems.
The storm is also expected to make the northern lights, or aurora borealis, visible across a vast stretch of the northern U.S.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a G4-level storm watch on Tuesday, in response to recent coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the Sun. A G4 storm is considered “severe,” while the highest storm level—G5—is categorized as “extreme.
” The latest CME, described by NOAA as the “most energetic and fastest of the recent eruptions,” was also associated with one of the strongest solar flares of the current solar cycle.
This flare peaked at 5 a.m. ET on Tuesday and was classified as an R3 or “strong” flare, which has the potential to cause disruptions in high-frequency radio communications and low-frequency navigation signals.
The geomagnetic storm is expected to impact Earth around midday Wednesday, though the exact timing remains uncertain. The Space Weather Prediction Center has indicated a “moderate level of certainty” regarding the storm’s arrival. A secondary, G3-level storm, which is considered “strong,” is expected to follow on Thursday.
While the effects of these storms could pose risks to satellite and communications systems, there is also a silver lining for skywatchers.
The aurora borealis, typically visible only at higher latitudes, could be seen as far south as Northern California and Alabama, starting Tuesday night and continuing into early Wednesday morning.
The University of Alaska and the Space Weather Prediction Center predict that the best opportunity to view the northern lights will occur between 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday and 1 a.m. Wednesday, with “highly active auroral displays” visible in cities such as Portland, Oregon; Cheyenne, Wyoming; and even New York City.
In some regions, the northern lights might appear near the horizon as far south as Oklahoma City and Raleigh, North Carolina, offering a rare celestial spectacle for residents in these typically southern regions. NOAA notes that these auroral displays could be especially vibrant due to the intensity of the solar activity.
This is not the first time in recent months that a significant geomagnetic storm has impacted Earth. In May 2024, a powerful CME brought the strongest geomagnetic storm in over 20 years, with multiple X-class solar flares recorded.
That event caused temporary radio blackouts. Another strong geomagnetic storm in October 2024 allowed the aurora to be visible as far south as Florida and in major cities like New York and Chicago.
As the storm progresses, experts continue to monitor the effects on both infrastructure and the skies. While the geomagnetic storms could cause potential communication blackouts and disruptions to GPS systems, they also offer an awe-inspiring opportunity to witness the northern lights in locations far outside their usual range.
Stay tuned for updates on this remarkable natural event.
