Solar flares are expected to create faint auroras across the top of the Northern Hemisphere this weekend. According to forecasters, the fringes of the northern United States may experience these solar storms resulting in possible disruptions to power and communications. The current peak of the sun’s magnetic field cycle makes solar storms and northern lights more common. This week, the sun emitted two strong flares, with the Thursday flare being the largest since 2017.
Pale auroras could potentially be visible as far south as South Dakota, Iowa, and New York. However, there remains uncertainty as the storms could intensify or weaken over the weekend. Erica Grow Cei, a spokesperson for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, highlighted this uncertainty on Friday. In May, particularly strong solar storms led to stunning aurora displays across the Northern Hemisphere. The recent storms have featured fewer high-energy plasma ejections that drive these captivating light shows, as reported by NOAA.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is responsible for all the content. Stay tuned for updates on these solar flares and potential auroras across the Northern Hemisphere.
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