Overview
- NOAA forecasts a minor geomagnetic storm Saturday night with a peak Kp of 4.67, making G1 conditions likely with a smaller chance of G2.
- The aurora could be visible across as many as 24 states, with the highest odds in Alaska and northern states including Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, and Minnesota.
- NOAA’s projected viewing line stretches into parts of the Midwest and Northeast under clear skies, reaching states such as Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and New England.
- Best viewing typically falls between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time in dark, cloud-free areas, and the Kp index is a 0–9 scale that indicates how far south auroras may appear.
- The setup follows a strong solar flare observed a day earlier, and NOAA expects weaker activity Sunday with Kp near 3, urging skywatchers and sensitive operators to monitor SWPC real-time updates.