(NEXSTAR) — A “powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) erupted from the Sun” on Friday sparked severe-level geomagnetic storms on Earth, giving many across the U.S. the chance to see the northern lights Sunday night. If the activity in our atmosphere holds up, some could again have the possibility of seeing the aurora on Monday night.
NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center warned of the CME, brought on by an M8 solar flare, last week. Because it was traveling toward Earth, the SWPC warned of strong geomagnetic storms, with the potential to reach G4-strength (on a scale of 1 through 5) through Tuesday.
As of Monday morning, the agency is forecasting storms up to G3 strength through the day, with weakening conditions into Tuesday. At times, conditions may not even be strong enough to prompt a G-scale rating.
Like Sunday, some of the strongest geomagnetic storming will occur during the daylight hours in the U.S. That will inhibit us from seeing the atmospheric interactions — otherwise known to us as the northern lights — that are occurring overhead.
Nonetheless, the SWPC shows G1 to G3 level storms could carry into Monday night. The current auroral forecast gives those in the northern U.S. the best chance at catching the celestial show after sunset.
That includes states at or above the red view line on the map below. If you live along or near where the red view line reaches, you may only see the northern lights on the northern horizon.
All or parts of Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine could see the aurora on Monday. If conditions strengthen, the lights could become visible in parts of Oregon, Kansas and Illinois as well.
It’s worth noting, though, that conditions could weaken, and diminish the chance for the aforementioned states to see the aurora.
Because conditions are expected to decline through Tuesday, the aurora viewing forecast isn’t as promising for the Lower 48.
As of Monday, the forecast gives only portions of Washington, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine, and all of North Dakota, a slim chance of seeing the northern lights.
If you live in an area that, at least according to the forecast, should be seeing the northern lights, but you can’t see them, you may want to try using your phone to catch a glimpse.
Since the cameras on our smartphones are more sensitive than our eyes, they can better pick up on the celestial show during weaker conditions.
It’s recommended to use your phone camera’s night mode, if available, or another method of extending the camera’s exposure. You’ll also want to keep your hands as steady as possible, which may mean relying on a tripod.