Northern lights could be visible in Northern California this weekend, NOAA says
(FOX40.COM) — An incredibly rare aerial phenomenon is taking place throughout the world on Friday and Saturday, and residents of Northern California may find themselves in peak viewing territory, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
On Friday morning, the weather agency said that a G5 geomagnetic storm, which is considered severe and very rare, occurring on Friday and Saturday will create an aurora borealis that can be visible “over much of the northern half of the country” as far south as Alabama all the way to Northern California.
Strong solar storm hits Earth, could disrupt communications and produce northern lights in US
The last time a G5 event occurred was in October 2003, which led to power outages in Sweden and damaged power transformers in South Africa.
The NOAA adds that its space weather forecasters have observed several CMEs (coronal mass ejections), which are eruptions of solar material, on Friday and expect them to continue through Saturday and potentially into Sunday.
The aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, are “beautiful dancing ribbons of light that have captivated people for millennia,” according to Space.com. However, the space information website adds that although the event is undeniably beautiful, it is a “violent” event.
“The northern lights are created when energized particles from the sun slam into Earth’s upper atmosphere at speeds of up to 45 million mph (72 million kph), but our planet’s magnetic field protects us from the onslaught,” the website reads.
While countries like Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Canada are the premium destinations to experience the northern lights, there are a few tips that Northern California residents can use to enhance their viewing experience.
Space.com says that the first thing sky-gazers should look out for is their local forecast. If the night sky is too cloudy, the chances of seeing the northern lights decrease significantly.
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Additionally, those who wish to see the northern lights should get “as far away from city lights as possible to maximize visibility.”
The website adds that the best time to see the aurora is between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. and the best time of the year is between September and April.
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