Columbus, OH – A solar storm arriving at Earth this afternoon is expected to bring rare northern lights to the Ohio Valley tonight, capping off the Labor Day holiday with a dazzling sky show.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed that a coronal mass ejection (CME) reached Earth’s magnetic field just before 5 p.m. EDT Monday. The storm, first tracked 1 million miles from Earth, has triggered G2 to G3 geomagnetic storm watches for the evening.
That level of activity could push auroras much farther south than usual, making them visible across Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, particularly in rural areas with dark skies. Clear conditions in parts of the region may increase the likelihood of seeing the phenomenon.
“Activity levels will depend on the orientation of the embedded magnetic field,” NOAA reported. “If southward, storm conditions can intensify, brightening and expanding aurora visibility.”
While NOAA notes the storm may cause minor impacts to GPS or satellite services, most attention is focused on the night sky. With timing aligning on Labor Day, Ohio Valley residents may experience a rare holiday spectacle overhead.
The best chance to view the auroras will be after sunset and through the overnight hours. NOAA advises following real-time updates at spaceweather.gov.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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