NOAA Warns 23 U.S. States of G4 Aurora Risk as Triple Solar Disturbance Nears Earth
Updated
Updated · Forbes · Jun 3
NOAA Warns 23 U.S. States of G4 Aurora Risk as Triple Solar Disturbance Nears Earth
3 articles · Updated · Forbes · Jun 3
Summary
Thursday night into Friday, NOAA said G3 to isolated G4 geomagnetic storms could push auroras into mid-latitude skies across 23 U.S. states and much of Canada.
Three solar-wind drivers may arrive nearly together—a possible May 30 CME, a co-rotating interaction region, and a high-speed stream from a coronal hole—raising the odds of reinforced geomagnetic activity.
June 3 X-class flares from erupting sunspot 4455 also launched two or three additional CMEs expected to reach Earth on June 5, adding to the storm risk.
Visibility will still depend on last-minute solar-wind readings from NOAA's DSCOVR satellite and a southward Bz magnetic field, with reliable aurora forecasts possible only about 30 minutes ahead.
A bright waning gibbous moon and short pre-solstice nights could wash out faint displays, leaving northern states with the best viewing chances.