A large solar flare on Saturday has sparked a geomagnetic storm expected to impact Earth early Monday morning.
The NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center issued a warning for the G3-level storm, caused by a coronal mass ejection and intensified by an X-class solar flare.
The storm could make the aurora borealis visible as far south as Virginia tonight.
An X4.5 flare occurred at approximately 14/1529 UTC, resulting in R3 (Strong) HF radio blackouts. pic.twitter.com/5LhTlsxtHR
— NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) September 14, 2024
This short video captured using data from the GOES Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI) clearly shows the intense X-class flare that peaked around 1529 UTC today. pic.twitter.com/r7UpUhoTVl
— NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) September 14, 2024
The KP index is expected to peak at 7.0 around 5 a.m. on Monday, offering early risers a chance to see the phenomenon.
You can find the dark spots in your area using the official light pollution map here.
Happy aurora hunting!
