The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has detected multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the sun, releasing charged particles into space, potentially triggering colorful auroras in the sky.
By Arforbes
Meteorologist Dirk
Verdoorn suggests that Friday night offers the best chance to witness the aurora, particularly in Northern California.
While the lights
may only be visible as far south as Portland, Oregon, residents along the California-Oregon border have the best chances of viewing the auroras.
SWPC has issued a
"Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watch," the first since 2005, indicating significant solar flare activity. Geomagnetic storms are rated on a scale from 1 to 5.
Increased sunspot activity,
particularly cluster 3664, has led to the recent surge in CMEs, enhancing the likelihood of aurora sightings, especially when these explosions are directed towards Earth.
While active sunspots and CMEs are not uncommon, the last extreme solar storm, rated G5, occurred in 2003, causing disruptions in Sweden and damaging power infrastructure in South Africa.
Residents in affected
areas have a rare chance to witness the northern lights, an event typically associated with higher latitudes, adding excitement and anticipation to skywatching enthusiasts.
The size and intensity of
sunspot cluster 3664, roughly 16 times the diameter of Earth, contribute to the increased likelihood of aurora sightings in lower latitudes, including parts of Northern California.