As excitement builds, people across the United States are gearing up for a rare celestial event—the northern lights, or aurora borealis, may be visible much farther south than usual due to a significant solar storm expected to hit Earth soon. This phenomenon is anticipated to arrive just after Hurricane Milton makes landfall in Florida, raising concerns about potential disruptions to communication systems essential for disaster relief efforts.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a severe geomagnetic storm watch for Thursday and Friday, warning that the storm could rank 4 out of 5 on the severity scale. This level of geomagnetic activity can lead to auroras visible as far south as Alabama and California. Historically, such storms have managed to keep power grids operational; however, low Earth orbiting satellites may face challenges. NOAA’s service coordinator, Shawn Dahl, noted that the agency is proactively alerting power grid operators and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to prepare for any potential impacts.
The impending storm is fueled by a coronal mass ejection—a massive explosion of plasma from the sun—launched into space on Tuesday evening. This eruption is currently hurtling toward Earth at speeds of 750 to 800 miles per second. While forecasts can predict the timing of these solar particles, their exact intensity remains uncertain until they are detected by satellites approximately one million miles away from Earth.
Observers can expect clear skies across the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest, creating ideal conditions for aurora viewing. Those in southern regions, however, may need to escape urban areas with light pollution to increase their chances of witnessing the ethereal lights. A long camera exposure can enhance visibility of the auroras, particularly in locations further south where natural light may obscure the display.
In addition to the auroras, sky watchers may also catch a glimpse of Comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS, which is expected to brighten significantly as it approaches Earth. While it will be most visible on Wednesday night, it may continue to be seen in the days following.
The timing of the solar storm, coinciding with Hurricane Milton’s landfall, raises concerns about the potential effects on communication systems and power grids. Historically, solar storms of this magnitude have caused issues for satellites, including navigation disruptions and power irregularities. NOAA’s past experience with severe storms has shown that emergency systems operating on certain wavelengths can also be vulnerable. During the 2017 hurricane season, solar activity complicated communication efforts for disaster response in the Caribbean.
Mike Bettwy from NOAA emphasized that Florida’s southern latitude might offer some protection from the storm’s effects. “In order for Florida to be affected, the storm would need to reach pretty far south,” he explained. However, NOAA continues to monitor the situation closely, especially given the storm’s potential to disrupt systems crucial for hurricane response efforts.
As this exciting celestial event approaches, it serves as a reminder of the powerful forces of nature at play. For many, witnessing the northern lights can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and with the right conditions, sky watchers across the United States may find themselves treated to a spectacular show in the coming days.