In an unusual celestial treat, the northern lights might make another appearance across much of the United States tonight. Following yesterday’s intense geomagnetic storm that brought auroras unusually far south, space weather forecasters predict continued activity could produce more dazzling displays. The ongoing solar storm, caused by multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the sun, shows no signs of ending just yet.
These solar eruptions, traveling at speeds up to 4.3 million miles per hour, have been interacting with Earth’s magnetic field to create spectacular auroral displays. According to experts at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, the current storm conditions may persist through early Sunday. Space weather physicist Tamitha Skov explains that because this storm combines material from several CMEs, its effects could continue in waves over the next 24 hours.
Adding to the excitement, another smaller CME is expected to arrive late Sunday, potentially extending the aurora viewing window into Monday. While this second wave likely won’t match the intensity of the current storm, it could still produce beautiful displays at higher latitudes. For those who missed last night’s show or want another chance to witness this natural wonder, tonight might offer another opportunity to see the northern lights from unexpected locations.