Star observers in the northern tier of the United States may come as a surprise Friday night through Saturday morning. Northern Lights activity is expected to increase late Friday, peaking early Saturday when the energy of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) hits Earth’s magnetic field.
The chart at the top of the page is a forecast issued by the University of Alaska Fairbanks, depicting where aurora activity might be visible at the top (solid green) and on the horizon (north of the green line).
The G1 (minor) and G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm clocks are in effect July 22-23. Refer to the chart for more information. pic.twitter.com/ajFgMX0v7d
– NOAA Space Weather (@NWSSWPC) July 21, 2022
The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has issued a geomagnetic time clock at a G1 level for Friday evening and G2 for early Saturday. The energy of a coronal mass ejection (CME) that occurred on July 21 is expected to hit Earth starting late Friday, intensifying until the early morning of July 23.
Darker skies, away from light pollution, will create ideal viewing conditions, but the waning crescent moon could cause problems for those observing at latitudes closer to the line or with less dark skies.
Cloud cover could be a problem in portions of the Upper Midwest and the Northern Plains. But many in the aurora of observation should have clear to mostly clear skies.
You can check the latest aurora conditions and forecast on the SWPC page, linked above.
Rob grew up in South Florida, where daily afternoon storms and hurricanes sparked his interest in meteorology early on. That interest was encouraged by his teachers and father, who once took him to the roof of their home to watch a funnel cloud move across the Everglades several miles away. … Load More Years of directing and television production in high school gradually propelled him to television meteorology at Florida State University, where he joined and eventually led the students’ daily weather show. After graduating with a degree in meteorology, he began his career at KESQ in Palm Springs, California before heading to KFSN in Fresno and WLOS in Asheville, North Carolina. It covered a wide range of extreme weather events, including haboob and flash floods in the desert, extreme snow in the Sierra, hurricanes and Appalachian ice storms. He also likes to tell stories and report on weather issues. & # XD;
