A major solar flare, observed this Wednesday, May 8, will cause a “severe” geomagnetic storm on Earth this weekend. Northern lights will be visible.
A severe level 4 geomagnetic storm, the second highest level, is expected to hit Earth this weekend according to the US Space Weather Prediction Center. This is the first time since January 2005 that such a strong alert has been issued by this organization, indicating The voice of the North.
“At least five coronal mass ejections directed towards Earth have been observed” around May 8 and the first will arrive from Friday evening. Disruptions to the power grid, GPS systems and high-frequency radios are possible. Spacecraft may also be disrupted.
These coronal mass ejections correspond one to “gigantic cloud of solar plasma which are expelled from the Sun during strong solar flares or eruptions of solar filaments”, explain Space Weather Live. When they reach land, a geomagnetic storm occurs, causing the Northern Lights.
Auroras in the North of France?
“This is a unique opportunity for skywatchers at mid to low latitudes to see auroras from places where they are not normally visible. Under optimal conditions, we could see auroras at latitudes as low as San Francisco, Dallas and Atlanta. In Europe, even northern France and southern Germany might have a chance of seeing auroras.” specifies Space Weather Live.
However, even if all the conditions seem to be met to see auroras in the sky, nothing is yet guaranteed. This year, we can also expect to see more northern lights in the sky of northern France.
