Northern lights could reach AL this weekend. See if aurora visibility gets this far south

Chelsea Madden, Martha Sanchez
·2 min read
2

The northern lights in the South?

That’s right. With the current severe (G4) geomagnetic storm watch issued by the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), southerners may actually get a special light show this weekend.

Here’s the latest:

What is a geomagnetic storm watch?

According to the Space Weather Prediction Center, a geomagnetic storm watch is issued when coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are likely to hit earth. The SWPC has observed flares from space that appear to be large sunspot clusters capable of reaching earth and creating geomagnetic activity.

Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a G4 geomagnetic storm watch.
Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a G4 geomagnetic storm watch.

The storm was issued at a severe level (G4) and the last severe watch of this kind was issued in 2005. The Center reported that the storm could reach earth “as early as midday Friday, May 10, 2024, and persist through Sunday, May 12, 2024.”

What will happen when the storm reaches earth?

In the past, the extreme (G5) geomagnetic storm of 2003 created a power outage in Sweden and damaged power transformers in South Africa.

At the severe (G4) level, officials at the SWPC reported “highly elevated geomagnetic activity,” such as voltage control and grid issues.

A severe (G4) geomagnetic storm watch has been issued for May 11, 2024.
A severe (G4) geomagnetic storm watch has been issued for May 11, 2024.

However, for several regions of the U.S., there will be an aurora, which resembles the northern lights. Auroras occur when the sun’s particles get into the earth’s magnetic field and begin to mix with oxygen, creating a beautiful, colorful light show in the sky.

Can the aurora be seen in all Southern states?

It is unlikely the aurora will be visible in South Mississippi, said Shawn Dahl, a service coordinator at the Space Weather Prediction Center. But if the storm grows more intense, Alabama and even northern Mississippi could see the aurora low on the horizon.

Aurora forecast for the U.S. from the severe (G4) geomagnetic storm.
Aurora forecast for the U.S. from the severe (G4) geomagnetic storm.

He said people should watch for updates and know chances of seeing the aurora might increase if the storm suddenly grows stronger.

“People can use their cameras or cell phones to take photos to the north,” Dahl said, “because it may be too faint to see with the eye, but a camera may catch it.”

Georgia, unfortunately, may not get to see the storm’s aurora at all, as the lights won’t reach that far south. Watch for updates on the NOAA’s online Aurora Dashboard.

What other questions do you have? Let me know at cmadden@mcclatchy.com