Where the Northern Lights could be visible on Thanksgiving, Black Friday

Aurora displays are possible on Thanksgiving and Black Friday for the northern United States after NOAA’s space weather forecasters say charged particles from the Sun will create geomagnetic storm conditions.

According to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), a coronal mass ejection – an eruption of solar material – was seen leaving the Sun on Monday.

The SWPC rates solar storms at a five-level scalewhere five are the most extreme and rarest space weather conditions. For this event, SWPC issued a G1 (minor) Geomagnetic Storm Watch for Thursday and a G2 (moderate) watch for Friday, when the arrival of the CME is expected.

When these particles interact with the Earth’s magnetic field, displays of northern lights, known as the Aurora Borealis, are created. During minor (G1) and moderate (G2) geomagnetic storms, the Northern Lights may be visible at higher latitudes and in the United States in places such as Maine and northern Michigan.

The SWPC said viewings of the northern lights are possible on Friday in some northern states and the Upper Midwest.

Friday aurora viewing forecast.

(FOX Weather)

Unfortunately, a coast-to-coast winter storm that brings snow to some and rain to many across the United States may hinder views of the sky and the Northern Lights.

Thursday’s forecast for northern lights.

(FOX Weather)

Another aspect of space weather is the impact it can have on critical systems we use every day on Earth, including the power grid, communications and GPS navigation.

During predicted moderate geomagnetic storm conditions, power grid fluctuations may occur and satellites in low Earth orbit may experience increased drag.