Get Ready to Glimpse the Northern Lights! Massive Solar Storm Incoming!

NOAA Issues 'Severe' Solar Storm Alert: Auroras Expected Across Much of the U.S.

Get ready for a celestial spectacle! The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a "Severe" solar storm alert, with dazzling auroras potentially visible across a significant portion of the United States. This event, triggered by a powerful eruption on the sun, brings with it both breathtaking beauty and potential technological disruptions.

Geomagnetic Storm Reaches G4 Level

At 9:46 AM Eastern Daylight Time on June 1, 2025, instruments registered a geomagnetic K-index of 8, signaling the arrival of a strong geomagnetic storm. For context, the K-index measures disturbances in Earth's magnetic field, and a reading of 8 is considered severe.

This has prompted the NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center to classify the ongoing episode as G4, the second-highest level on its five-step geomagnetic scale.

What to Expect: Auroras and Potential Disruptions

This solar storm is expected to last through at least June 3, potentially bringing:

• Elevated radiation levels
• Intermittent radio blackouts
• A chance to see the aurora borealis (Northern Lights) and aurora australis (Southern Lights) much further south than usual

The greatest expected three-hour Kp for June 1–3 averages 7.67, with individual windows pushing well into G4 territory. Forecasters even concede a small chance of conditions briefly spiking to G5, the extreme category reserved for once-in-a-decade storms.

Potential Impacts on Technology

The effects of a G4 solar storm can extend to various aspects of modern technology. Potential impacts include:

• Power Grids: May experience unwanted currents, potentially tripping protective hardware, especially at latitudes above 45°.
• Pipelines: Could experience increased voltage, accelerating corrosion.
• Radio Communications: High-frequency radio links, crucial for emergency responders and transoceanic pilots, may experience fading or complete blackouts.
• GPS Navigation: Satellite-based positioning systems may degrade or become temporarily unavailable.

The Culprit: Active Region 4100

The current solar storm originates from an active region on the sun, designated as 4100. This region unleashed a series of medium-strength M-class flares, with the largest erupting at 8:05 PM EDT on May 30.

This flare produced a full-halo coronal mass ejection (CME) – a massive burst of plasma and magnetic field – racing outward at approximately **1,938 km/s (1,204 mi/s)**. That's fast enough to cross the 93 million-mile gulf between the Sun and Earth in roughly two days!

Why is the sun so active?
The sun follows a roughly 11-year cycle of activity, with periods of relative quiet interspersed with periods of intense flare and CME production. The present solar cycle is only midway to its expected peak, meaning bursts like this one will become more common.

Aurora Sightings: Where and When to Look

One of the most exciting aspects of a strong solar storm is the possibility of seeing auroras at lower latitudes. Forecasts suggest that auroras could be visible as far south as Alabama and northern California, weather permitting.

For the best viewing opportunities:

• Find a location away from city lights.
• Look towards the northern horizon (or southern horizon in the Southern Hemisphere).
• The best viewing times are often after local midnight.

How to Prepare and Stay Safe

While a solar storm might sound alarming, there are simple steps individuals can take:

• Unplug non-essential electronics during the most intense periods to reduce the risk of voltage spikes.
• Amateur radio operators should anticipate HF quiet zones and switch to lower-frequency or digital modes.
• Farmers and surveyors relying on high-precision GPS might consider delaying fieldwork.

The Bigger Picture

While utilities have strengthened their equipment since the famous March 1989 blackout in Québec, the increasing reliance on satellites, drones, and interconnected infrastructure highlights the need for constant vigilance and updated contingency plans. Every severe storm serves as a valuable stress test.

Stay Informed and Enjoy the Show

This solar event presents a unique opportunity to witness the power of nature. Keep an eye on updates from the Space Weather Prediction Center and, if the skies are clear, take a moment to appreciate the dazzling display of the aurora.

With K-index readings near 8, solar-radiation storm chances at 75 percent, and radio-blackout odds topping 65 percent, the next two days demand attention from anyone who depends on reliable power, navigation, or radio links – which is to say, almost everyone.

Check in with the Space Weather Prediction Center for updates and more information.

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Tags: solar storm, geomagnetic storm, space weather, K-index, NOAA, aurora, radiation, radio blackout, June 1, G4

Source: https://www.earth.com/news/noaa-issues-a-severe-solar-storm-alert-with-auroras-expected-across-most-of-us/