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
King Tides Return to Start the Month

King Tides Return to Start the Month

Coastal areas will be dealing with intrusions

5 Nov 2025 11:35 AM
Next Big Push Of Moisture in the Northwest

Next Big Push Of Moisture in the Northwest

A series of atmospheric rivers have been resp

5 Nov 2025 11:30 AM
First Snow Forecast of the Season for the Northern Plains

First Snow Forecast of the Season for the Northern Plains

NORTHERN PLAINS - As we head into the end of

5 Nov 2025 11:30 AM
Stormy Conditions Return for the Northeast Wednesday

Stormy Conditions Return for the Northeast Wednesday

What To ExpectWe're taking a break from heavy

5 Nov 2025 11:05 AM
Record Heat This Week, Before Arctic Blast

Record Heat This Week, Before Arctic Blast

Another round of records was set today across

5 Nov 2025 11:00 AM
How to Help Those Impacted by Hurricane Melissa

How to Help Those Impacted by Hurricane Melissa

Melissa made landfall on Tuesday, October 28t

4 Nov 2025 1:40 PM
How Big Did the Hail Get in Texas Saturday?

How Big Did the Hail Get in Texas Saturday?

Powerful storms swept through the Lone Star S

2 Nov 2025 10:25 PM