Solar Storm Visible as far south as Alabama - Another Round Arrives Tonight

The Northern Lights (Auroras—commonly seen near the poles—occur when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere.) are being seen by thousands! With photos and videos prove that skygaziers are spotting them much farther south in the United States and Europe over the last two years. It begs the question...Why are we seeing these geomagnetic storms that are far more reaching than normal?

The reason? The sun is undergoing a dramatic magnetic shift. Every 11 years, its poles reverse, creating intense magnetic twists and disturbances that fuel these vivid light shows.

Aurora lovers, rejoice! The Space Weather Prediction Center correctly said Tuesday, November 11th, aurora chances could be seen as far south as Alabama and California. Space weather forecasters predict more dazzling displays AGAIN Wednesday night into Thursday.

ANOTHER coronal mass ejection (CME) is expected to arrive at and impact the Earth with the potential for elevated geomagnetic response, AKA: more auroras. As of 1 pm ET on November 12th, the SWPC issued a Geomagnetic Storm Watch of G4 or higher, the same alert level issued for Tuesday night into Wednesday!

THE FORECAST:

Timing with the arrival of CME's and their corresponding aurora is difficult to forecast, but this is the latest outlook from the Space Weather Prediction Center (released around midday Wednesday) for Wednesday night. Going to a dark location away from city lights will increase visibility of the aurora.

You can learn more on how to view and photograph the aurora by visiting NASA's Guide.

THE COLORS:

The colors you see during an aurora event is based on the type of gasses and their elevations within the atmospheric as they react to the solar influence.

Oxygen and nitrogen provide the colors typically seen within the aurora, with green being the most common. You can learn more about the science behind the colors with the National Park Service.

As always, submit your photos and videos of the aurora to us here at WeatherNation. Tag us on social media, or submit them to our email feedback@weathernationtv.com.