Aurora borealis could be visible in wide swaths of continental US, Europe on Saturday because of lar

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

Aurora borealis could be visible in wide swaths of continental US, Europe on Saturday because of large solar flare

A large solar flare erupted Thursday and is set to reach Earth Saturday, which could result in a strong geomagnetic storm and cause the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, to be visible across the US and Europe.

NOAA issued a G3, or "strong" geomagnetic storm watch, for Saturday and Sunday ahead of the flare slamming into the Earth. The scale for geomagnetic storms runs from G1, or minor storm, to G5, an extreme storm.

This geomagnetic storm could cause voltage irregularities and false alarms on some protection devices, NOAA warns. It also could cause high frequency radio blackouts and loss of radio contact on the sunlit side of the earth.

The most visible effect from the impending geomagnetic storm is it will likely supercharge the aurora borealis, making it visible across large parts of the US and Europe.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute Aurora Forecast indicates, weather permitting, the Northern Lights could be visible from Portland Oregon to New York City. It may also be visible on the horizon as far south as Carson City, Nevada, Oklahoma City, and Raleigh, North Carolina.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/29/weather/northern-southern-lights-us-europe-wx-scn/index.html?utm_term=link&utm_content=2021-10-30T01%3A01%3A48&utm_medium=social&utm_source=fbCNN

[MineralMan]

1. I'm hopeful I'll get to see it.

I'm in the Twin Cities of MN. For once, the skies will be clear on a night when the Aurora might be visible. So, I'll be out there on my north-facing balcony deck to see if I can get a glimpse of it.

We'll see - I hope...

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

2. This might be a chance for me to see something I have wanted to see since childhood.

[MineralMan]

3. Yup. It's on my list of things I haven't seen, too.

I'm hopeful, but not convinced.

[Cracklin Charlie]

4. Same.

Does anyone with experience know about the timing of such events?

Does it happen really late/early? Is there a better direction to face, etc?

Thanks in advance.

[2naSalit]

7. It's variable...

I have seen aurora from sunset on and had to wait until after midnight for others. It all depends on when the magnetic mass reaches the planet.

Here's a great site to browse:

https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/communities/space-weather-enthusiasts

[MineralMan]

6. That story is from 2020. Not relevant.

[onenote]

9. My bad.

[Bayard]

8. Not looking too good to see it from southern KY

Especially since its been raining for 2 days.

I did see them once when I was a kid. I was hoping it was aliens landing.