NEW YORK (AP) — This Thanksgiving, the northern regions of the United States might be treated to faint auroras as a result of incoming solar storms.
According to NOAA meteorologist Mike Bettwy, these delicate light displays could be visible in various northern states on Thursday and Friday; however, the visibility may be fleeting and will hinge on the intensity of the solar storms. He noted that updated forecasts may become available closer to the event on NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center website or through an aurora forecasting app.
The best chances to witness these phenomena lie across states such as Washington, Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine. Additionally, northern parts of Idaho, Wyoming, New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire may also enjoy a view of the auroras.
Space weather experts suggest that the optimal time to observe the auroras will be from 10 p.m. EST Thursday to 1 a.m. Friday EST. To effectively catch a glimpse of this rare spectacle, it is recommended to find a dark area far from city lights after the skies have cleared. Interestingly, a smartphone camera may pick up auroral details that are invisible to the naked eye.
This solar activity comes as the sun approaches its maximum phase in an 11-year cycle, which generally leads to increased occurrences of solar surges and auroras. Earlier this week, a burst of high-energy plasma was ejected from the sun towards Earth. Experts indicate that this active solar period could persist for at least another year, although the precise peak of solar activity may not be determined until months later, according to NASA and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Notably, experts do not anticipate significant disruptions to communications due to the solar storm predicted for this week. In May, NOAA issued an unusual severe geomagnetic storm warning, marking the strongest storm seen in over two decades and resulting in visible light displays throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Last month, another powerful solar storm surprised observers far from the Arctic Circle, with auroras appearing in unexpected locations like Germany, the United Kingdom, New England, and even New York City.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group, though the AP maintains sole responsibility for all content.
