Utah could receive another northern lights show from latest geomagnetic storm
KSL.com • • general
Key Points:
- The National Weather Service's Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm watch for Thursday and Friday nights, indicating increased solar activity and a higher chance of magnetic field disruptions.
- This geomagnetic storm increases the likelihood of aurora borealis (northern lights) being visible farther from the poles, including in Utah and parts of the Western U.S.
- Northern Utah may see visible northern lights, with other parts of the state and neighboring states like Idaho, Wyoming, Washington, and Montana possibly witnessing the phenomenon, sometimes only detectable by cameras.
- This alert is among the strongest this year, following a G4 (severe) storm in November that produced visible northern lights in Utah.
- While the watch extends into Friday, aurora activity is expected to decrease by sunset across the Western region.