A severe geomagnetic storm was detected on June 29, 2024, and it could potentially lead to the northern lights being visible in various regions of the United States. The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) reported that a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun reached Earth on this day.
According to multiple sources, including WMUR and The Beacon Journal, a CME was detected on June 25 and reached Earth on June 28 or 29. This event could potentially lead to auroras being visible in high-latitude regions such as New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and even further south.
The northern lights are caused by solar particles colliding with the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere. These particles create beautiful displays of light that can be seen in the polar regions. However, severe geomagnetic storms like this one can sometimes cause these lights to appear at lower latitudes than usual.
During a minor geomagnetic storm on May 10, 2024, auroras were visible across all 50 states in the United States. However, it is unlikely that this current storm will have such widespread effects due to its classification as a minor storm.
The northern lights are not the only potential impact of this geomagnetic storm. According to NASA and NOAA, these events can also cause power outages, transformer damage, and disruptions to satellite operations, communication systems, GPS systems, and HF radios.
It is important to note that while multiple sources have reported on the potential for northern lights in various regions of the United States due to this geomagnetic storm, it is not guaranteed that they will be visible. The orientation of the CME's magnetic field relative to Earth's magnetic field plays a role in whether or not auroras occur.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
