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Aurora Watch: Minor Geomagnetic Storms Could Bring Northern Lights Tonight

Fast solar wind from a coronal hole, boosted by a recent CME, is pushing geomagnetic activity to about Kp 5.

Overview

  • NOAA forecasts G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm conditions on Oct. 29–30, with unsettled to active levels possible through Oct. 31.
  • The aurora may be visible across northern latitudes of the U.S., including parts of Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
  • UK Met Office guidance points to visible aurora in Scotland with low‑confidence chances of brief glimpses in northern England or Northern Ireland on Tuesday into Wednesday night.
  • Best viewing typically occurs after dark with a peak window from about 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. local time, though activity can flare earlier if conditions strengthen.
  • Forecasters stress real‑time monitoring, noting that visibility depends on the interplanetary magnetic field’s Bz orientation, live Kp readings and local cloud cover.