The northern lights may once again be seen in North Carolina Monday night.
Tony Rice, NASA ambassador and WRAL contributor, first brought you this potential Sunday night.
As of Monday, NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center says that the geomagnetic storm directed toward Earth could reach G4 status.
A geomagnetic storm is what results from a coronal mass ejection (aka. solar flare) interacting with Earth’s magnetic field. The stronger that interaction, the higher ‘G’ status/stronger geomagnetic storm and the farther south the aurora could be seen.
Rice tells us, “The magnetometer image showing a clear halo from the CME gives some confidence that we’ll see something.”
He cautions, however, that we emphasize potential rather than guarantee. You think weather forecasting on Earth is hard? Try predicting space weather!
Based on previous experience, however, a G4 storm usually leads to the aurora being seen in North Carolina.
Expectations of it dancing over your head like you’d see in Canada, Alaska, Iceland, Scandinavia, etc. should be limited, though.
Your best bet is to get a clear view of the northern horizon, and turn your phone on Night Mode. Some projections show 11 p.m. being the peak. If you’re dressed for the cold, try going out earlier. You never know!
If you happen to get any good photos, send them to Report It.
