G4 Storm Strengthened and Will Continue for Several Days

A powerful geomagnetic storm is expected to bring the northern lights across the mid-latitudes of the United States and Europe tonight, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), which has issued a severe geomagnetic storm warning. This is prepared by SSP.

Enthusiasts may witness the auroras deep into areas as far south as California, Missouri, and Oregon. These geomagnetic storm conditions are rated at a severity level of 3 out of 5. However, predicting the exact timing of such events remains challenging. Space weather, akin to Earth's weather, retains an element of unpredictability.

Forecasters, including notable space weather physicists such as Tamitha Skov, have indicated that the arrival could occur anytime, with a higher likelihood of the storm arriving later in the forecasting window, possibly influenced by a fast solar wind stream.

Europe may see vibrant aurora displays if the storm hits within the next few hours. In contrast, if the storm impacts the U.S. during nighttime, the aurora might be visible as far south as Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Oregon. Observers located even farther south could capture the lights with their cameras, provided that cloud cover does not obstruct the view. Unfortunately, heavy cloud cover is anticipated around the Mid-Atlantic and eastern Oregon.