Aurora Could Be Visible in Mid-Latitudes After Two X-Class Flares

news image
Top Stories
5 Oct 2024 2:30 AM

Is it the holiday season already? Because this is the solar cycle that just keeps giving.

After an impressive X7.1 flare on Tuesday, the sun erupted with the strongest solar flare since 2017 on Thursday morning, registering at X9.0! Tuesday and Thursday's flares produced Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) that are expected to produced aurora activity over the next few days. Forecasting the exact timing of CME arrival at Earth remains challenging, so be patient and monitor conditions in real time if you plan to try to see the aurora activity.

The CME arrival/timing looks a bit messy, with a long period of moderate to strong geomagnetic activity expected. These spikes in the solar activity could produce aurora overhead into the northern latitudes of the lower 48, with aurora visible on the horizon as far south as Chicago (light pollution permitting).

The Space Weather Prediction Center issues a G-Scale forecast, which is featured below. This shows activity peaking around midnight (ET) on Saturday (late Fri into Sat), with activity possibly peaking again Saturday evening into Sunday morning. This forecast will change - monitoring real time conditions as a compliment is necessary.

Activity is current expected to peak at the G3 level, which typically brings the aurora visibility down to mid-latitudes.

Cloud cover could be an issue for some areas around the Great Lakes and parts of the Northeast, as well as the Pacific Northwest. Monitoring satellite conditions is a must.

Be sure to check back in for updates, and happy aurora hunting!

All Weather News
More
Flooding & Severe Storms Target the Southwest

Flooding & Severe Storms Target the Southwest

A low pressure system coming across the Weste

23 Oct 2026 2:05 AM
Tropical Storm Vance Forms In The Pacific

Tropical Storm Vance Forms In The Pacific

Isaias ended the late-season streak of no hur

23 Oct 2026 2:00 AM
Warmer Than Average: Above-Normal Temperatures Across the Central U.S. This Week

Warmer Than Average: Above-Normal Temperatures Across the Central U.S. This Week

WHAT TO EXPECTA ridge of high pressure will b

23 Oct 2026 1:45 AM
Josephine is Now Post-Tropical

Josephine is Now Post-Tropical

SETUPThe National Hurricane Center was watchi

23 Oct 2026 1:20 AM
Several Fires Break Out in SoCal Last Week Amid Santa Ana Wind Event

Several Fires Break Out in SoCal Last Week Amid Santa Ana Wind Event

Santa Ana winds helped several fires grow qui

19 Oct 2026 1:25 PM
Another Cold Morning Before Things Warm Back Up

Another Cold Morning Before Things Warm Back Up

Across portions of the Ohio Valley through th

19 Oct 2026 10:15 AM
Severe Risk Diminishing Saturday Morning for the Northeast

Severe Risk Diminishing Saturday Morning for the Northeast

Severe Storm PotentialSevere risk is decreasi

16 Oct 2026 10:20 AM