Those in Pennsylvania may have a chance to catch a glimpse of the beautiful Northern Lights on Thursday.
According to the Space Weather Prediction Center, their Wednesday evening forecast states that the Northern Lights, otherwise known as aurora borealis may be visible across Pennsylvania because a "strong" geomagnetic storm is now likely for Earth starting Thursday evening and continuing Friday.
Photo of Northern Lights at Indian Tower in Nazareth, PA taken on Monday, April 24, 2023 by photographer Colin Lord
NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center said at least three coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, happened on Sunday, sending clouds of plasma from the Sun toward Earth.
According to the SWPC website, the ejections are large expulsions of plasma and magnetically charged particles. These particles then interact with Earth's atmosphere and Earth's magnetic field and create the aurora. The stronger the geomagnetic storm or larger the amount of material ejected by the sun, the farther south the Northern Lights can be seen during a storm.
The Space Weather Prediction Center says in their forecast issued Wednesday afternoon that the anticipated storm would produce aurora as far south as Pennsylvania with a peak Kp value of 7. A Planetary K-index is used to characterize the magnitude of geomagnetic storms.
The Kp index ranges between 0 and 9. For those of us here in Pennsylvania, a Kp index of at least a 7 is needed. The forecast calls for a Kp-7 late Thursday. So, keep an eye to the horizon - We just might be able to see something here in the Lehigh Valley.
The best areas to try to see the aurora are in areas with very little to no street lights or light pollution, and with a clear view of the northern sky, like on a hill or mountaintop.
Grab your camera and be ready - If you have the chance to view them, they will be amazing!
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