Aurora borealis viewed from central Nebraska in May 2024, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — The aurora borealis could be faintly visible on the northern horizon this weekend as the Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a Strong Geomagnetic Storm Watch for the weekend.
According to the SWPC, forecasters have issued a G3 (Strong) Geomagnetic Storm watches for Oct. 4-6, due to a pair of coronal mass ejections that are anticipated to arrive over the next three days.
On Oct. 3, the SWPC noted that a strong solar flare event occurred. It was noted that flares of this magnitude around solar maximum are not generally common, but not highly unusual.
A geomagnetic storm is a temporary disturbance of the Earth’s magnetosphere caused by a solar wind shock wave. The disturbance that drives the magnetic storm may be a solar coronal mass ejection (CME).
A CME is a significant ejection of magnetic field and accompanying plasma mass from the Sun’s corona into the heliosphere.
The aurora could be visible overhead in many northern states, while the aurora could be faintly visible on the horizon in the central Plains. A camera on low light settings may be required for viewing.
Earlier this year, the SWPC issued a Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watch, which had been the first since January 2005. The aurora was visible in Nebraska and states as far south as Oklahoma.
