NEW YORK—Solar storms are expected to bring faint but visible auroras to the Northern Hemisphere late Thursday into early Friday morning. While colorful displays may be seen in Canada and northern U.S. states like Alaska, Washington, Montana, North Dakota, and Minnesota, experts do not anticipate significant disruptions to power grids and communications.
If the solar storms intensify, people as far south as Illinois and New York may have the chance to witness the phenomenon. However, Erica Grow Cei, a spokesperson for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, notes that conditions must align perfectly for this to occur.
To catch a glimpse of the auroras, observers should wait for nightfall and head outside, preferably away from bright city lights. Smartphone cameras can also capture the auroras in ways not visible to the naked eye.
These solar storms are occurring as the sun’s magnetic field reaches the peak of its 11-year cycle, resulting in more frequent aurora displays. While the upcoming auroras are expected to be less intense than those seen in May, they could briefly disrupt precision GPS equipment used by farmers.
