ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Asheville-area residents may have another chance to see the northern lights tonight, as a powerful solar storm is expected to bring aurora displays unusually far south.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a G4, or severe, geomagnetic storm watch for the Jan. 20 UTC day, which translates to late Monday evening through early Tuesday morning in the eastern United States. The alert is due to the anticipated arrival of a coronal mass ejection, or CME, ejected from the sun on Jan. 18.
According to NOAA, the CME was associated with a strong solar flare and is expected to reach Earth as early as late Monday night. The resulting geomagnetic storm could make the aurora borealis visible across much of the Southeast, including the Carolinas, and potentially as far south as Alabama.
Forecasters say viewing conditions may be favorable in Western North Carolina, with clear skies and little to no moonlight expected overnight. The lights are best seen from dark, open areas away from city lights.
In addition to aurora displays, severe geomagnetic storms can disrupt GPS signals, radio communications and satellite operations.
NOAA said it has a fair level of confidence in the storm’s timing and continues to monitor conditions. Updates and forecasts are available here.