The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) defines a geomagnetic storm as “a major disturbance of Earth's magnetosphere that occurs when there is a very efficient exchange of energy from the solar wind into the space environment surrounding Earth.” More specific to local stargazers, however, is that the northern lights are enhanced when coronal mass ejections (CMEs), come from the sun and quickly travel across space before hitting Earth's atmosphere.
If you're seeing the Northern Lights tonight, here's an explainer of how the different colors can appear! We are currently seeing a vivid display of pinks and greens here at the office! pic.twitter.com/S0NLzG5HOa
— NWS Northern Indiana (@NWSIWX) October 11, 2024
The NOAA says that the CME hit Earth on Thursday around 10:15 a.m. Central Time at nearly 1.5 million mph.
DFW weather guru and WFAA meteorologist Pete Delkus posted to his X account on Thursday night that the lights could be seen “as far south as the Bahamas”, a major departure from what the NOAA had projected only hours earlier.
If you missed your chance to see the colorful streaks light up the dark sky last night, you could still be in luck. The NOAA says on Friday morning that “severe geomagnetic storm levels continue to be observed.” Forbes also reports that the northern lights could still be visible on Friday night.
