Washington — A powerful geomagnetic storm heading toward Earth this week may give residents of Washington state a rare opportunity to witness the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis.
Forecasters at the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center have issued a G4-level alert, indicating a severe geomagnetic storm—one of the strongest in recent years. Caused by a burst of solar activity known as a coronal mass ejection (CME), the storm is expected to reach Earth in the coming days, possibly lighting up skies across the northern United States.
While the aurora is usually limited to areas near the Arctic Circle, strong solar storms can push the phenomenon much farther south. This time, skies over Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and other northern states may glow with vibrant hues of green, red, and purple.
“This is one of the more intense space weather events we’ve seen recently,” said a NOAA spokesperson. “There’s a good chance the aurora will be visible in areas with clear skies and low light pollution, particularly during the late evening and early morning hours.”
To catch the northern lights, experts recommend heading away from city lights and looking north between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., when auroral activity is typically strongest. Using a long-exposure camera can also help capture the light show even if it's faint to the naked eye.
Aside from their beauty, geomagnetic storms can pose risks. Strong storms like this one can interfere with GPS systems, power grids, satellites, and radio communications, prompting alerts to power companies, airlines, and other critical sectors.
The sun is currently approaching a period known as solar maximum, a peak in its 11-year activity cycle, which increases the frequency and strength of solar flares and CMEs.
If the forecast holds, this could be one of the best chances in years for people in Washington to witness the aurora borealis. Past events of similar magnitude have treated viewers across the northern U.S. to breathtaking skies—and this week could deliver the same.
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