Auroras May Light Up The Southern U.S. Thanks To Powerful Solar Storm

Stunning auroras may be visible in unexpected parts of the United States, including Alabama and Northern California, due to an intense solar storm, according to the National Weather Service’s Space Weather Prediction Center. Normally confined to the northern skies, these colorful light displays are being pushed further south by a significant solar flare and a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun.

The storm, initially classified as a level 4 (on a scale from 1 to 5), poses potential risks to communications, power grids, and satellite operations. The Space Weather Prediction Center warns that the storm could cause disruptions as it continues through Friday.

The solar storm, moving at a blistering speed of 1.5 million miles per hour, reached Earth at 11:17 a.m. ET on Thursday. By early afternoon, the storm was officially upgraded to G4 status after scientists observed its intensifying conditions.

Coronal mass ejections, like this one, release clouds of ionized gas and magnetic fields from the sun's outer atmosphere. When directed at Earth, they cause geomagnetic storms, disturbing Earth’s magnetic field. These storms can affect satellites and power systems on Earth, which has prompted alerts for FEMA, power grid operators, and satellite operators to prepare.

As the sun approaches its solar maximum, the peak of its 11-year cycle expected this year, solar activity has increased. This boost in activity fuels auroras, also known as the northern and southern lights, which occur when charged particles from the CME interact with Earth's atmosphere. The interaction creates beautiful, colorful displays in the sky.

Officials are monitoring whether this storm could reach G5 intensity, which would create even more widespread aurora displays, potentially visible across southern U.S. states. The last G5 storm, in May, resulted in auroras visible worldwide and caused some power outages and satellite disruptions. 

NOAA encourages skywatchers to use its aurora dashboard, which tracks where and when these displays may appear. Since nights are growing longer, the chances of catching an aurora have increased, and even if they’re not visible to the naked eye, cell phone cameras might be able to capture them.

While the storm might cause some disruptions, NOAA scientists believe it won’t be as severe as the one in May, which was one of the most successfully managed space weather events in history. However, they caution that solar activity will remain heightened through next year, so more storms are likely on the horizon.

With the sun still unpredictable and the solar maximum not yet officially reached, we may continue to experience the effects of these powerful solar storms well into 2026. So, for now, keep an eye on the skies — you may just catch a glimpse of the magical auroras lighting up the night.