Aurora Likely Visible Early Tuesday Morning for the Northern U.S.

news image
Special Stories
19 Sep 2023 2:25 AM

An aurora could be visible tonight for the northern tier of the United States as a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) event peaks solar radiation! The best time to view the aurora will be 4 - 7 AM Central Time, but the earlier the better due to the dark conditions. Overnight will be a new moon so very little moonlight will detract from the aurora visibility.

According to the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the aurora will be visible through Tuesday morning from "Helena [MT to] Minneapolis [MN to] Milwaukee [WI to] Bay City, Toronto [Canada to] Montpelier [Vermont]" The aurora may even be visible along the horizon for Boise, ID, Lincoln, NE, Indianapolis, IN and Annapolis, MD!

The reason for the aurora is from a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) that is expected on Tuesday. The "K-index" is used to "characterize the magnitude of geomagnetic storms" according to NOAA. Tuesday's K-index will be on the order of mid-levels. According to NOAA, "Kp is an excellent indicator of disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field and is used by [space weather prediction center] to decide whether geomagnetic alerts and warnings need to be issued for users who are affected by these disturbances".

For more on geomagnetic storms and potential impacts for the U.S., watch Meteorologist Alana Camera as she heads inside the Space Weather Prediction Center located in Boulder, CO!

All Weather News
More
More Record Highs in Trouble Today

More Record Highs in Trouble Today

We have had a warm October for much of the lo

22 Oct 2024 1:40 PM
Tropical Outlook: Oscar Makes Landfall in Cuba, Kristy Forms in Pacific

Tropical Outlook: Oscar Makes Landfall in Cuba, Kristy Forms in Pacific

According to climatology, about 10% of the se

22 Oct 2024 12:15 PM
Waves of Precipitation Across the Northwest This Week

Waves of Precipitation Across the Northwest This Week

It was a soggy stretch across Oregon and Wash

22 Oct 2024 11:00 AM
NOAA'S Winter Outlook Released

NOAA'S Winter Outlook Released

This year's winter outlook has been released

22 Oct 2024 8:00 AM
Overnight Severe Threat in the Plains

Overnight Severe Threat in the Plains

The same system that brought heart-breaking f

22 Oct 2024 3:10 AM
Snow in the Rockies Lingers Into Monday

Snow in the Rockies Lingers Into Monday

The slow-moving upper-level low is still spin

21 Oct 2024 1:20 PM
Flash Flooding and Storm Chances Continue Across New Mexico

Flash Flooding and Storm Chances Continue Across New Mexico

Roswell picked up over 5 inches of rain in a

21 Oct 2024 2:20 AM