You'll need to get away from light pollution and under dark skies to see the aurora. An SWPC representative previously told Thrillist, "You need very clear skies, a good view of the northern horizon (no trees, buildings, or hills), and it needs to be dark." If you're near the southern edge of where the northern lights appear, you're most likely to see it low along the northern horizon. A site like Aurorasaurus, the SWPC's 30-minute forecast, or resources like Space Weather Watch on Twitter are good places to keep an eye on for updates closer to real-time.Īs always, the further north you are, the better your chance of seeing the display. There are resources worth checking before you head out to make sure you're giving yourself the best shot at catching the lights. It's important to note, however, that the forecast can change. The viewing isn't forecast to be as good on August 19 with a G2 in effect from 8-11 pm and a less significant G1 watch starting at 11 pm. There's a G2 in effect at sunset ET, which rises to a G3 at 11 pm ET. The current forecast shows the strongest part of the storm arriving on the night of August 18. Reports indicate that your best bet is going out on August 18 or 19. N othing can guarantee the lights will show up on any given night. However, things look promising. There are a lot of variables that have to come together for the aurora to appear. Still, it means that the stars are aligning in your favor if you're hoping to get out and see the incredible display. As that increased solar activity arrives at Earth, it can trigger more brilliant and widespread auroral activity.Īs ever, the northern lights are fickle. SWPC forecasters say it is monitoring "a series of Coronal Mass Ejections (CME)" that began on August 14. That's much further south than you typically see the northern lights. Those are strong enough to potentially bring the aurora to the skies over the continental United States on both notes. The forecast projects a G3 storm, considered strong on the SWPC's scales, for August 18 and a not insignificant G2 storm for August 19. It has issued a geomagnetic storm watch through the latter date. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) predicts "a strong geomagnetic storm" to arrive at Earth on August 18 and 19. So, this week's situation is a bit unique. Those dark skies are necessary to see the bucket list phenomenon. Earth's magnetic field combines with the particles to fill the sky with a mesmerizing display of dancing color known as the Northern Lights.Ī resort in Minnesota captured both the Northern Lights and lightning at the same time last night.The northern lights aren't something you typically hunt in the summer when there is less darkness at night. CME's can reach Earth in as little as 18 hours in the form of a Geomagnetic Storm full of highly charged particles. Northern Lights are caused by a CME (Coronal Mass Ejection) of plasma off the surface of the sun. Thursday's geomagnetic storm was a strong G3 while tonight's will be a G2. Geomagnetic Storms are rated on a scale of 1 being weakest and 5 being the strongest and most catastrophic to Earth. We will also have more cloud cover tonight, making it difficult to see the lights even if they appear low on the horizon. Unfortunately, the dazzling display of colors stayed farther north.Ī slightly weaker geomagnetic storm Friday will trigger the lights again on Friday night, but they are most likely going to stay closer to the Canadian border. There was a good possibility that Thursday night's Aurora Borealis would reach southeastern Pennsylvania. PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Northern Lights, aka the Aurora Borealis, will be pushed south again on Friday night from the polar region.
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