(NEXSTAR) — Activity on the sun could make the northern lights visible to a handful of states on June 25, the latest auroral forecast shows.
On Monday, NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center reported that a coronal hole, or CH, had been spotted on the sun. These are areas on the sun that are cooler and less dense regions of open and unipolar magnetic fields, NOAA explains. Their openness allows solar wind to escape at higher speeds, known as High Speed Streams, or HSS.
CH HSS are capable of causing geomagnetic storms on Earth, according to NOAA, though not typically as strong as those brought on by coronal mass ejections, like we saw earlier this month.
Nonetheless, the latest CH HSS could impact Earth’s atmosphere on Wednesday, prompting a G2 moderate geomagnetic storm watch from the SWPC.
That also means the northern lights may be visible to some states.
The SWPC’s forecast for Wednesday, seen below, gives parts or all of 14 states — Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine — the chance at seeing the northern lights.
Unless you live in Alaska, your likelihood of seeing the aurora is pretty slim. However, you may be able to see the colorful glow on the northern horizon (or with the help of your phone camera).
The strength of the geomagnetic activity and the timing of it could impact the aurora forecast.
The SWPC forecasted minor G1-strength storming, which is capable of bringing the northern lights to the northern reaches of the Lower 48, to start around 8 a.m. EDT Wednesday and run through about 2 a.m. EDT Thursday. Conditions could reach G2 strength between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday.
Unfortunately, the sun will have hardly set by then, which could squander our chances at seeing the northern lights. But, if conditions hold or strengthen into the night, you may be able to see the aurora on the northern horizon.
When the northern lights forecast is weaker, it’s often recommended to get as far away from outdoor lights as possible and look northward. Even then, you may only be able to see the northern lights by taking a picture with your phone.