Springfield, MO – A solar storm hitting Earth this afternoon is expected to light up the night skies across Minnesota, Missouri, and much of the Midwest, offering a rare opportunity to spot the northern lights during the Labor Day holiday.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed that a coronal mass ejection (CME) reached Earth’s magnetic field shortly before 5 p.m. EDT on Monday. The storm had earlier been tracked near the L1 orbital point, roughly 1 million miles from Earth. As a result, G2 to G3 geomagnetic storm watches remain in effect for the evening.
That means strong enough solar activity is underway to spark visible auroras over parts of the central U.S. — including much of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and other surrounding states — especially in rural areas with clear, dark skies.
“Activity levels will depend on the orientation of the embedded magnetic field,” NOAA reported. “If southward, storm conditions can intensify and increase aurora visibility.”
While most technological impacts are expected to be limited or mitigated, stargazers could be in for a memorable show. If skies remain mostly clear, viewers in the lower Midwest stand a solid chance of catching rare September auroras — a fitting end to Labor Day weekend.
The best viewing window will likely begin after sunset and continue through the night. Residents are encouraged to follow NOAA updates via spaceweather.gov for ongoing alerts.
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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