Northern Lights May Reach 10 U.S. States Through May 17 as Geomagnetic Storms Peak Higher
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · May 15
Northern Lights May Reach 10 U.S. States Through May 17 as Geomagnetic Storms Peak Higher
7 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · May 15
NOAA said auroras could be visible across parts of the U.S. from late May 15 through early May 17, with the best viewing window on both nights running from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. EDT.
G1 to G2 geomagnetic storms are expected to drive the display, and NOAA said this weekend’s peak could push the lights farther south than the previous round.
10 states have at least a G1 viewing chance—Alaska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, Montana, Idaho and Washington—while G2 conditions could extend visibility into New York, Illinois, Iowa and Oregon.
G3 conditions are currently seen as unlikely, but if they develop the aurora could reach as far south as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Nebraska, Wyoming and California.
The latest outlook extends NOAA’s earlier Thursday-Friday storm watch into the weekend, with dark skies away from city lights still the key to seeing the display.
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