Geomagnetic storm and aurora borealis activity

Solar activity has triggered geomagnetic storm alerts and increased opportunities for viewing the aurora borealis across North America.

Initial forecasts following a “full halo” coronal mass ejection (CME) on October 6 suggested the northern lights would be visible across approximately 22 U.S. states and parts of Canada. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued alerts for G1 to G2-class geomagnetic storms, with activity expected to peak in the early hours of October 9.

Subsequent reports indicate a moderate G2 geomagnetic storm watch following additional solar eruptions, including an M-class solar flare from sunspot region AR4549. These eruptions triggered four CMEs. Physicists noted that a faster-moving eruption from October 8 might catch up to earlier material during transit, potentially affecting the storm's strength and timing. Due to these ongoing solar events, visibility may extend across as many as 28 U.S. states.

By October 13, NOAA forecasted potential aurora visibility driven by high-speed solar winds originating from a coronal hole. In the United States, visibility was expected in several northern states, including Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, with potential sightings in northern Wyoming. Alaska was expected to maintain a high likelihood of aurora activity across much of the state. Experts recommended viewing from dark, elevated locations, ideally between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., noting that visibility remains dependent on local weather and cloud cover.