Northern Lights Alert: 10 States May See Aurora Monday Night

NOAA issued a geomagnetic storm watch after an X1.5 solar flare and a coronal mass ejection aimed toward Earth; auroras may be visible in up to 10 northern U.S. states around the predawn hours of March 31, with a stronger storm possibly extending visibility farther south.

NOAA issued a geomagnetic storm watch for March 30–31 following an X1.5-class solar flare that erupted from sunspot 4405 and produced a coronal mass ejection (CME) moving toward Earth. SpaceWeather.com notes the CME could produce a G2 or G3 geomagnetic storm from March 31 into April 1. Auroras are most likely in the northern sky in the hours before dawn on March 31. A bright, near‑full pink moon will be present and may make faint aurora harder to see. Key details: - NOAA issued a geomagnetic storm watch indicating a likely G1 or G2 storm for March 30–31. - An X1.5-class solar flare from sunspot 4405 produced a CME that appears to be Earth-directed. - Aurora visibility is reported as possible in up to 10 northern U.S. states: Alaska, Washington (northern parts), Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine. - If a G2-class storm develops, aurora could extend farther south into parts of Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire. - The solar surface currently has more than 10 sunspot regions and the sun’s 27-day rotation is bringing additional active regions into view, which increases the chance of further activity. Summary: Timing and exact extent of the auroral display remain uncertain because arrival depends on the speed and magnetic orientation of the solar wind. NOAA and space weather outlets are issuing ongoing forecasts and data updates. Undetermined at this time.