New Year’s Eve Aurora Borealis Possible Across Northern US
get ready for a potentially spectacular New Year’s Eve light show! A strong solar storm is brewing, and forecasters predict a chance of seeing the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, across several northern U.S. states.
Recent activity from sunspot regions has been closely monitored by the National Oceanic and atmospheric Governance’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) and NASA satellites. “A flurry of activity occurred the weekend of 28-29 December as active regions and (sun) spot groups became unstable,” the SWPC reported. This activity included three powerful X-class solar flares captured by NOAA’s Solar Ultraviolet Imager on December 29th.
These solar flares could result in vibrant auroras visible Monday and Tuesday nights in states including Alaska, Washington, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, michigan, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. Parts of Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, and Iowa may also catch a glimpse of the celestial display.
According to NOAA space weather forecaster Shawn Dahl, the best viewing opportunities will likely be in the early morning hours of Tuesday, while it’s still dark. “The early morning hours on Tuesday while it’s still dark should have the best chance of producing a light show,” Dahl stated.
The SWPC uses a five-level scale to rate geomagnetic storms, with five being the most extreme. A strong, Level 3 geomagnetic storm is possible on Tuesday, and a minor Level 1 storm is forecast for New Year’s Day. However, there’s a possibility of an upgrade to a Level 2 storm.
This celestial event offers a unique opportunity for residents in these northern states to witness a breathtaking natural phenomenon. Remember to check local weather forecasts for cloud cover, which could impact visibility. Happy New year, and happy aurora hunting!
Double Solar Storm to Illuminate US Skies on New Year’s Eve
Get ready for a spectacular New Year’s Eve light show! A double coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun is heading towards Earth, promising a dazzling display of the aurora borealis across the northern United States. This celestial event coincides with a rare Black Moon, creating ideal conditions for aurora viewing.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) forecasts the arrival of these solar storms. “SWPC forecasters have a fair level of confidence in some measure of Earth effectual components and general timing windows of these two particular CMEs, however, as is usual with these events, intensity is less certain,” the SWPC stated. “We will not know the true potential of geomagnetic disturbance levels of response until the CME(s) arrive 1 million miles from Earth (when they will be about 30-60 minutes from reaching our planet) and their structure and intensity can be measured by our solar wind observatories – NOAA DSCOVR and NASA ACE spacecraft.”
While strong geomagnetic storms aren’t everyday occurrences, they’re not unheard of. The intensity of this event could bring the Northern Lights as far south as Illinois and Oregon, treating residents of the northern U.S. to a breathtaking spectacle alongside their New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Adding to the excitement, this celestial event aligns perfectly with a Black Moon – a second new moon in a single calendar month. This rare occurrence,falling on December 30th,will minimize moonlight interference,providing exceptionally dark skies for optimal aurora viewing and enhancing the visibility of distant planets.
To maximize your chances of witnessing this natural wonder, find a location far from city lights. If the aurora isn’t immediately visible to the naked eye, try using your smartphone camera – you might be surprised at what it captures.
For the latest updates and forecasts as the event approaches, check NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center website or a reliable aurora forecasting app.
This article incorporates information from The Associated Press and FOX Weather.
