Portland, OR – A powerful geomagnetic storm could make the Northern Lights visible across the Pacific Northwest Monday night, according to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center.
NOAA has issued a G3 (Strong) Geomagnetic Storm Watch for Monday, December 9, as a coronal mass ejection (CME) from a December 6 solar flare races toward Earth. The CME is expected to arrive early to midday Monday, increasing the likelihood of auroral activity over the northern tier of the U.S.
Forecasters say that if skies remain clear, residents in Oregon, Washington, and northern Idaho could catch a glimpse of shimmering green, pink, or purple lights across the northern horizon. The best viewing will be in darker rural areas and higher elevations — including regions near Bend, Spokane, Yakima, and Boise.
While G3-level storms can cause minor power or communication disturbances, NOAA says the primary impact for most will be visual — a rare and vivid aurora borealis display stretching farther south than usual. Viewing is expected to peak Monday night through early Tuesday morning, depending on local weather.
NOAA encourages the public to follow updates from the Space Weather Prediction Center for real-time aurora forecasts and visibility maps.
