Solar storms may bring faint northern lights to parts of the US, with forecasters monitoring potential impacts on power and communications. (AP/NASA)
Share
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
NEW YORK — Solar storms may cause faint northern lights across fringes of the northern United States over the weekend as forecasters monitor for possible disruptions to power and communications.
The sun’s magnetic field is currently at the peak of its 11-year cycle, making solar storms and northern lights more frequent. The sun shot out two strong flares this week, including one Thursday that was the biggest since 2017.
Pale auroras may be visible as far south as South Dakota, Iowa and New York — but the storms could still intensify or weaken over the weekend.
Related Story: ‘Ring of Fire’ Solar Eclipse Will Be Visible in Parts of South America
“There’s still a fair amount of uncertainty,” Erica Grow Cei, spokesperson for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said Friday.
Unusually strong solar storms in May produced jaw-dropping aurora displays across the Northern Hemisphere. This week’s storms featured fewer ejections of the high energy plasma that can drive a light show, according to NOAA.
RELATED TOPICS:
Categories
Fresno Man Arrested in Fatal DUI Crash on Trimmer Springs Road
Israeli Military Kills 41 People in Gaza, Medics Say
Manhunt for Gunman Who Shot Two Minnesota Lawmakers Enters Second Day
Israel and Iran Bombard Each Other, Trump Says He Can ‘Easily’ End Conflict
Trump Vetoed an Israeli Plan to Kill Iran’s Supreme Leader, US Officials Say
Newsom Wanted To Fast-Track the Delta Tunnel Project. The Legislature Slowed the Flow
Five Weeknight Dishes: Seven Ingredients or Fewer, Because Summer
