Seattle, WA – A powerful solar storm striking Earth this afternoon is expected to light up skies across the Pacific Northwest tonight, giving Washington, Oregon, and surrounding states a strong chance to see the northern lights during the Labor Day holiday.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed that a coronal mass ejection (CME) hit Earth’s magnetic field just before 5 p.m. EDT Monday. The event, first detected about 1 million miles from Earth, has triggered G2 to G3 geomagnetic storm watches that remain in effect through the evening hours.
That activity level means auroras are anticipated across northern-tier states and may stretch farther south into Oregon. Stargazers away from city lights will have the best chance to see colorful displays as nightfall sets in.
“Activity levels will depend on the orientation of the embedded magnetic field,” NOAA said. “If southward, storm conditions can intensify, boosting aurora visibility.”
While NOAA notes that impacts to power and satellite systems should be limited, skywatchers are encouraged to take advantage of the clear skies forecast for much of the region. With timing aligning on Labor Day, the rare September aurora display could provide a memorable end to the holiday weekend.
Auroras will be most visible after sunset and could continue through the overnight hours. For live monitoring and updates, NOAA advises checking 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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