Valentine’s Day display of northern lights will be visible in these US states
Another geomagnetic storm will create a dazzling show in the romantic night sky.
Valentine’s Day could bring a dazzling display of the northern lights for stargazers in some parts of the U.S.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center has forecast solar G1 geomagnetic storm conditions for Thursday evening, which could bring aurora displays to Earth by Friday. On the planetary K-index, which characterizes the magnitude of geomagnetic storms on a scale of zero to nine, a “G1” is considered minor, according to NOAA.
In the U.S., states including Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Alaska could see the northern lights over the coming days if conditions are right, according to NOAA’s aurora viewline map.
The auroras could extend as far south as northern Michigan and Maine, depending on the strength of the solar storm.
The sun’s magnetic field is currently in its solar maximum – the stage of its cycle when solar activity and energy discharge is the highest – which has produced an uptick in northern lights activity over the past several months.
Coronal mass ejections (CME), which are bursts of magnetized plasma emitted from the sun’s corona, travel toward Earth as part of the solar wind, manifesting in a spectrum of luminous green and pink as the material interacts with Earth’s magnetic field.
The most recent geomagnetic storm will be especially driven by a high solar wind event, according to NOAA. The same solar wind event sparked a previous G1 storm on Sunday.
It’s difficult to predict the exact timing and location of northern lights viewing because the sun is roughly 93 million miles away, meaning it can take days for CMEs to reach Earth, according to space experts.
However, a citizen science platform called Aurorasaurus sends alerts to users if an aurora may be visible in their area and can also send alerts in real time regarding where the northern lights are currently being seen.
The best times to view the northern lights are in the hours immediately before and after midnight, according to NOAA. Getting away from light pollution or even the bright light of a full moon will allow for improved viewing conditions, space experts say.
If you want to photograph the northern lights, smartphones and digital cameras are more sensitive to the aurora’s array of colors and can capture the northern lights even if they aren’t visible to the naked eye, according to NASA.
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Keep up to date with northern lights forecasts, alerts and geomagnetic storm warnings with our aurora forecast live blog.
A fresh blast of solar wind is set to enhance aurora activity just in time for Valentine’s Day.
If conditions are right, the northern lights could be visible as far south as northern Michigan and Maine over the coming days.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm conditions on the evening of Thursday (Feb. 13) and high activity throughout Friday (Feb. 14), as a fast-moving solar wind stream heads for Earth. According to Spaceweather.com first contact with the solar wind stream is expected on Feb. 14, just in time for Valentine’s Day.
This upcoming geomagnetic storm is driven by a high-speed solar wind stream flowing from a coronal hole — a vast region in the sun’s atmosphere where solar wind escapes more easily. Solar wind speeds have appeared elevated throughout the week, ranging from 311 to 373 miles per second (500 to 600 kilometers per second), and in fact already sparked G1 storm conditions on Feb. 9. Another wave of speedy solar wind is expected to arrive between Feb. 12 and Feb. 13, which is what could set the stage for G1 storm conditions on Feb. 14.
When the solar wind reaches Earth’s magnetic field, it brings a stream of charged particles that interact with our atmosphere. These interactions energize atmospheric gases, causing them to glow and produce the mesmerizing northern lights (aurora borealis) in the Northern Hemisphere. Faster, denser solar wind can further enhance these displays, intensifying their brightness and activity. The stronger the geomagnetic storm, the farther south the auroras can be seen.
The best chances for aurora sightings will be at high latitudes, including Canada, Alaska and parts of the northern U.S. If geomagnetic activity is strong enough, skywatchers in northern Michigan and Maine may get a special Valentine’s Day light show. The best viewing conditions require clear, dark skies away from city lights.
Space weather is unpredictable, so keeping an eye on real-time forecasts is essential. One app I use is “My Aurora Forecast & Alerts,” available for both iOS and Android. However, any similar app should work well. I also use the “Space Weather Live” app, which is available on iOS and Android, to get a deeper understanding of whether current space weather conditions are favorable for aurora sightings.
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While there’s no guarantee, this geomagnetic storm could make for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day under the dancing auroras. Keep your eyes on the sky!
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Daisy Dobrijevic joined Space.com in February 2022 having previously worked for our sister publication All About Space magazine as a staff writer. Before joining us, Daisy completed an editorial internship with the BBC Sky at Night Magazine and worked at the National Space Centre in Leicester, U.K., where she enjoyed communicating space science to the public. In 2021, Daisy completed a PhD in plant physiology and also holds a Master’s in Environmental Science, she is currently based in Nottingham, U.K. Daisy is passionate about all things space, with a penchant for solar activity and space weather. She has a strong interest in astrotourism and loves nothing more than a good northern lights chase!
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