Maps of northern lights forecast show where millions in U.S. could see aurora borealis this weekend

 

Officials stated that Americans as far south as Alabama and Northern California could be in for a treat this weekend with the potential to witness the northern lights, courtesy of a potent geomagnetic storm hitting Earth. If weather conditions align, a wider expanse of the map could offer a glimpse of the aurora borealis.

While the storm prompted government forecasters to caution about potential disruptions to communication systems, the power grid, and satellite operations, it also promises a spectacular light show in the night sky.

Rob Steenburgh, a space scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center, explained, "If you happen to be in an area where it's dark, cloud-free, and relatively free from light pollution, you may witness a fairly impressive aurora display. That's really the gift from space weather: the aurora."

The aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, glows on the horizon over Crosby Beach near Liverpool, England. May 10, 2024.

Northern lights map for Friday night

A map from the center shows the aurora may be visible for much of the northern half of the U.S. Friday night. A red line on the map shows how far south the aurora forecast goes.

A map from the Space Weather Prediction Center shows the aurora forecast for the U.S. on May 10, 2024.

The St. Louis office of the National Weather Service advised residents to venture out of the city for optimal viewing of the northern lights.

"Escape urban light pollution by heading to dark, rural areas and facing north," the office recommended via social media. "Apart from occasional clouds from a passing front, skies are expected to remain mostly clear."

The prediction center, on its website, highlights that observers don't necessarily need to be directly beneath the aurora to witness it. In fact, it can be visible from distances of up to 620 miles away.

The weather service's office for the San Francisco Bay Area was less optimistic when asked if there was a chance for a nighttime show there.

"Probably not, but I'll still look up while walking my dog," the office said.

Northern lights map for Saturday night

Friday night isn't the only opportunity for a northern lights show. The storm was expected to last through the weekend, and the prediction center released a forecast map for Saturday night.

A map from the Space Weather Prediction Center shows the aurora forecast for the U.S. on May 11, 2024

Authorities mentioned that individuals in the southern United States, unable to observe the aurora with the naked eye, could still capture stunning images using their smartphones.

Brent Gordon from the Space Weather Prediction Center explained to reporters on Friday, "Cellphones are much more adept at capturing light than our eyes. Simply step outside and snap a picture with a newer cellphone, and you'll be astounded by the difference between what you see in the photo and what you perceive with your eyes."

Impressive photographs showcased the vibrant northern lights spectacle over Europe and the United Kingdom following nightfall on Friday.

Light green and slightly reddish auroras glow in the night sky in East Brandenburg, Germany, on May 10, 2024. The northern lights (aurora borealis) are produced by a cloud of electrically charged particles from a solar storm in the earth's atmosphere. 

The aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, glow on the horizon over Basingstoke in Hampshire, England, May 10, 2024.

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