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NOAA forecasts a potential G1 and G2 geomagnetic storm on Friday, July 31, through Sunday, Aug. 2, with aurora most likely on the northern horizon in U.S. states close to the Canada border.. The northern lights (aurora borealis) lights up the northern sky as the Old Faithful geyser emits steam on May 12, 2024 in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. (Photo by Jonathan Newton\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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The northern lights<\/a> could become visible across parts of the northern U.S. overnight on Friday, July 31, through Sunday, Aug. 2, as a coronal mass ejection that left the sun on July 30 strikes Earth\u2019s magnetic field.<\/p>\n According to Spaceweather.com<\/a>, the CME \u2014 a cloud of magnetic fields and charged particles \u2014 left the sun in the wake of a solar flare that, despite being weak, lasted for many hours. While the CME is not expected to arrive until the early hours of Sunday, Aug, 2 \u2014 when it could cause a G2-class geomagnetic storm \u2014 lesser but significant geomagnetic activity is also possible in the early hours of Saturday, Aug. 1.<\/p>\n It could potentially bring aurora into view from northern-tier U.S. states close to the Canada border, though it may be a faint display visible only to those who photograph the northern lights with a phone<\/a>. Cameras often detect faint aurora before the human eye can see color clearly.<\/p>\n The short summer nights, combined with this week\u2019s full moon<\/a>, may make faint aurora harder to see. The forecast comes as noctilucent clouds<\/a> are being seen in the northern hemisphere, a comet brightens<\/a> and two meteor showers peak<\/a> \u2014 just weeks before a total solar eclipse<\/a>, for which solar eclipse glasses<\/a> are required.<\/p>\n NOAA\u2019s auroral zone forecast for Friday, July 31, into Saturday, Aug. 1.<\/p>\n NOAANorthern Alert For Tonight And This Weekend<\/p>\n According to a forecast<\/a> by space weather experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, slightly heightened geomagnetic activity is possible early on Saturday, Aug, 1, with Kp 4 conditions forecast. About 24 hours later, early on Sunday, Aug. 2, a G2-class geomagnetic storm is predicted, with Kp 5.67 conditions forecast. In its wake, a G1-class geomagnetic storm is expected. \u201cG1-G2 (Minor-Moderate) geomagnetic storms are likely on 02 Aug due to the anticipated arrival of a CME that left the sun on 30 Jul,\u201d stated<\/a> NOAA. A forecast discussion<\/a> from NOAA suggests \u201cisolated active periods\u201d through Saturday, Aug, 1, from CMEs that left the sun on July 26-27.<\/p>\n The UK Met Office\u2019s Space Weather Operations Center is forecasting<\/a> a similar scenario, but is more pessimistic, stating: \u201cA weak CME may deliver glancing impacts late day 1 (31 Jul).\u201d It also added that there\u2019s \u201ca chance of Active intervals from any CME glance or fast wind enhancement until late day 2 or early day 3 (01-02 Aug), when there is a potential for G1-G2\/Minor-Moderate geomagnetic storms from the 30 Jul CME arrival.\u201d<\/p>\n All of this suggests a relatively modest space weather event, but enough to give observers across northern-tier U.S. states a chance of seeing the northern lights if skies are clear \u2014 and the solar wind\u2019s magnetic field turns southward as it reaches Earth.<\/p>\n NOAA\u2019s auroral zone forecast for Saturday, Aug. 1, into Sunday, Aug. 2.<\/p>\n NOAANorthern Lights Forecast For The U.S.<\/p>\n A G1 geomagnetic storm can sometimes make the aurora visible from northern U.S. states, particularly from locations close to the Canadian border. Potential viewing areas may include parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. Widespread visibility across the central or southern U.S. is not expected under the current forecast, but a G2 geomagnetic storm could mean faint aurora being seen in northern parts of Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire. However, Kp does not guarantee that aurora will be visible from every location at a given latitude, and some locations may record only a faint photographic glow.<\/p>\n ForbesIn Photos: Full \u2018Buck Moon\u2019 Rises To Set Up A Total Solar EclipseBy Jamie Carter<\/a>Aurora Alert: Solar Wind Conditions<\/p>\n Aurora visibility will ultimately depend on the strength of the solar wind, cloud cover, local light pollution<\/a> and the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field. The latter, known as Bz, is one of the most important factors. When Bz points south, it can connect more efficiently with Earth\u2019s magnetic field, allowing energy and charged particles to enter the magnetosphere. A sustained period of southward Bz could make the aurora brighter and push it farther south than expected. If Bz remains northward, however, the resulting display may be weak or restricted to higher latitudes.<\/p>\n Skywatchers should look toward the northern horizon during the darkest part of the night. A location away from streetlights and other sources of light pollution will offer the best chance of seeing faint aurora.<\/p>\n Aurora Alerts: Latest Updates<\/p>\n