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Pennsylvania Aurora Alert: Northern Lights Possible Tonight!
19 Jan
Summary
- A G4 geomagnetic storm watch is in effect due to a coronal mass ejection from the sun.
- Northern lights may be visible in Pennsylvania if the Kp index reaches at least a seven.
- The aurora borealis occurs when charged particles collide with gases in Earth's upper atmosphere.
Residents in Pennsylvania have a chance to witness the aurora borealis due to a G4 geomagnetic storm watch. This severe storm watch is a result of a coronal mass ejection (CME) that blasted from the sun on January 18th, anticipated to reach Earth soon.
The Space Weather Prediction Center issued the watch, explaining that geomagnetic storm levels range from G1 to G5, with G4 being severe. Such storms occur when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth's upper atmosphere, creating colorful light displays.
To see the northern lights in Pennsylvania, a Planetary K-index of at least seven is required. At this level, a faint glow may be visible low on the horizon, primarily in the northern sky, with better chances the farther north one is.
