The Northern Lights may be visible in 24 states tonight—including Washington.
According to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, a strong geomagnetic storm is underway, with the chance for us to catch a glimpse.
We can see the Northern Lights when a surge of charged particles from the sun interacts with the Earth’s magnetic field.
The National Weather Service (NWS) says a G4 Watch is in effect. Geomagnetic storm “G levels” range from G1 to G5, with G5 being the most extreme:
- G1 | MINOR
- G2 | MODERATE
- G3 | STRONG
- G4 | SEVERE
- G5 | EXTREME
According to KIRO 7’s Pinpoint Meteorologist, it is the strongest solar radiation storm in 20 years, but how much of a show we will see depends largely on the coronal mass ejection – or CME’s – magnetic orientation when it hits our planet.
KIRO 7’s Pinpoint Meteorologist Nick Allard predicts that between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. will be the best time for us to see them.
This browser does not support the video element.
If you catch any photos of the Northern Lights, please share them with us by clicking here.
Based on the latest NOAA aurora forecast map, here’s who could get a show if the conditions allow:
- Alaska
- Washington
- Oregon
- Idaho
- Montana
- North Dakota
- Minnesota
- South Dakota
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Michigan
- New York
- Vermont
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- Massachusetts
- Nebraska
- Iowa
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Missouri
- Colorado