Solar storm on Thursday expected to make Northern Lights visible in 17 states

A solar storm on Thursday (July 13) is expected to make the Northern Lights visible in 17 states.

The states where the aurora borealis will likely be seen include Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Indiana, Maine and Maryland.

Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis, are most often seen in Alaska, Canada and Scandinavia, but an 11-year solar cycle that’s expected to peak in 2024 is making the lights visible in places farther south than normal. 

The best viewing times of the Northern Lights on Thursday are currently between 10 PM and 2 AM local time.

From YAHOO NEWS:

Northern Lights occur when a magnetic solar wind slams into the Earth’s magnetic field and causes atoms in the upper atmosphere to glow. The lights appear suddenly and the intensity varies.

A geomagnetic index known as Kp ranks auroral activity on a scale from zero to nine, with zero being not very active and nine being bright and active.
The Geophysical Institute has forecast Kp 6 for Thursday’s storm.

Susan Saunders 7/10/23