A geomagnetic storm is expected to bring a dazzling display of the northern lights on Valentine’s Day, visible in parts of the US. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecast solar G1 geomagnetic storm conditions for Thursday evening, which could lead to aurora displays by Friday.
Stargazers in Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Alaska, northern Michigan, and Maine may witness the spectacle, depending on the strength of the solar storm. The sun’s magnetic field is at its maximum, producing an uptick in northern lights activity over several months.
Citizen science platform Aurorasaurus sends alerts to users if an aurora may be visible in their area. For optimal viewing, head out before and after midnight, away from light pollution or a full moon. Smartphones and digital cameras can capture the northern lights’ array of colors even if they’re not visible to the naked eye.
The display will be visible due to a high solar wind event, which has sparked previous G1 storms. However, predicting exact timing and location is challenging due to the sun’s vast distance from Earth.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/valentines-day-display-northern-lights-visible-us-states/story?id=118781761