Solar storms are forecasted to bring faint but visible auroras to the Northern Hemisphere starting late Thursday and extending into early Friday morning. However, experts advise that significant disruptions to power grids and communications are unlikely.
Residents in Canada and northern U.S. states, including Alaska, Washington, Montana, North Dakota, and Minnesota, may have the opportunity to witness faint, colorful displays, according to the latest space weather forecast.
Should the moderate solar storms intensify as nighttime approaches, the auroras might be visible as far south as Illinois and New York. “All the stars have to align” for such an occurrence, noted Erica Grow Cei, spokesperson for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
To enhance the chances of seeing this celestial show, observers should wait for the night skies to darken and then venture outside, ideally away from the glare of city lights. A smartphone camera could also capture hints of the aurora that might not be visible to the naked eye.
This activity coincides with the peak of the sun’s magnetic field in its 11-year cycle, leading to more frequent storms and aurora displays. In May, unusually strong solar storms produced vibrant auroras across the Northern Hemisphere.
While the anticipated nighttime storms are expected to be less intense, Grow Cei mentioned that brief disruptions to precision GPS tools, such as those used by farmers for crop harvesting, could occur.
