HANSVILLE, Wash. — Following a modest display on Friday night, the Northern Lights are expected to make a grand appearance Saturday night, potentially lasting longer and shining brighter. A solar flare erupted from the sun on Friday and is currently traveling towards Earth, projected to arrive and trigger a geomagnetic storm on Saturday night.
What is a Geomagnetic Storm?
The NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a Level 3 Geomagnetic Storm Watch, indicating a potentially “strong” storm. While not reaching the extreme levels seen in the spring of the previous year, this storm is likely to offer a captivating show across the northern states as far south as Oregon, Iowa, and inland New England.
The timing is favorable for nighttime viewing in much of the U.S., with peak aurora conditions expected between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. ET (7-10 p.m. PT).
What Are the 5 Categories for Measuring Geomagnetic Storms?
Friday night saw a minor to moderate aurora display due to heightened solar activity, with images of the Northern Lights captured in Upstate New York and the northern Puget Sound region near Seattle.
Northern Lights spotted over Berkshire, New York on March 21, 2025.
The forecast suggests a better show on Saturday night if solar conditions remain favorable, with weather conditions also playing a crucial role. Cloud cover is expected across much of the northern regions, with Seattle, Minneapolis, and northern Maine forecasted to be mostly overcast. Chicago, the Great Lakes, and the northern Rockies have a 50-50 chance of clear skies.
While geomagnetic storms do not pose health risks to humans, stronger storms can lead to communication disruptions like radio blackouts and affect satellite activities. Level 3 storms are common and typically pass without significant issues.
For those interested in witnessing the aurora, it is advised to find a dark location away from city lights with a clear view of the northern horizon. In weaker to moderate storms, the vivid colors may be challenging to see with the naked eye but can be captured beautifully through a camera with long exposure settings.
**Original article source: Northern Lights expected to grace the northern skies on Saturday night during a Geomagnetic Storm Watch**
