A rare chance to witness the Northern Lights in North Carolina may occur due to increased solar activity.
The NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center issued a warning for geomagnetic storming sparked by a coronal mass ejection. The storm intensified with an X-class solar flare, which could make the aurora visible as far south as North Carolina.
WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 7 or greater expected
Valid From: 2024 Sep 12 1332 UTC
Valid To: 2024 Sep 12 2100 UTC
Warning Condition: Onset
NOAA Scale: G3 or greater
Issue Time: 2024 Sep 12 1333 UTChttps://t.co/ZbtuNtIFJC— NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) September 12, 2024
While optimal viewing is usually in states like Minnesota and Maine, the ongoing solar cycle may bring more chances of auroras in southern states, including North Carolina, as we near the peak of Solar Cycle 25.
Northern Lights lit up the North Carolina sky for the third time of 2023 on Nov. 5th after an exceptionally powerful CME from the sun blasted our magnetosphere, similar to what is expected to happen tonight.
One of the most epic shots you’ll ever see of the #northernlights and the #MilkyWay This was over Waynesville, NC last night. Thanks for the photo Ezekiel Coppersmith. #scwx #ncwx pic.twitter.com/t1lWFfE2Py
— Ed Piotrowski (@EdPiotrowski) November 6, 2023
If today’s storm increases in strength on its approach to earth, there is a small possibility of seeing northern lights in the Carolinas once again.
If you want to get your own shots of the aurora, you’ll need a long-exposure camera. Go to a very dark place where you have an unobstructed view toward the northern sky. The best place would be a remote mountain with north-facing views.
You can find the dark spots in your area using the official light pollution map here.
Happy aurora hunting!
