Astronomers Warn: Intense Magnetic Storms May Bring Northern Lights to Southern US
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's space weather prediction center has issued a warning that intense geomagnetic storms could make the aurora visible across much of Canada and as far south as the northern tier of US states. According to Shawn Dahl, service coordinator at the center, this major disturbance in the Earth's magnetic field is expected to lead to spectacular displays of the Northern Lights in areas that typically don't see them.
Residents in these regions may be treated to breathtaking views of the aurora borealis on Monday night, with some forecasts predicting visibility as far south as Alabama and Georgia. While the storms could bring a rare treat for observers, they also pose significant disruptions to satellite operations, GPS communications, and other critical infrastructure.
The storms have not been seen in more than two decades, making this a rare event for scientists. The intensity of these magnetic disturbances has grown exponentially in recent years, with November's solar storms bringing vibrant displays of the aurora to parts of Europe and as far south as Kansas, Colorado, and Texas.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's space weather prediction center has issued a warning that intense geomagnetic storms could make the aurora visible across much of Canada and as far south as the northern tier of US states. According to Shawn Dahl, service coordinator at the center, this major disturbance in the Earth's magnetic field is expected to lead to spectacular displays of the Northern Lights in areas that typically don't see them.
Residents in these regions may be treated to breathtaking views of the aurora borealis on Monday night, with some forecasts predicting visibility as far south as Alabama and Georgia. While the storms could bring a rare treat for observers, they also pose significant disruptions to satellite operations, GPS communications, and other critical infrastructure.
The storms have not been seen in more than two decades, making this a rare event for scientists. The intensity of these magnetic disturbances has grown exponentially in recent years, with November's solar storms bringing vibrant displays of the aurora to parts of Europe and as far south as Kansas, Colorado, and Texas.