The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) issued an Alert at 4:00 a.m. ET, for a G4 (Severe) Geomagnetic Storm or greater. When skies are clear, the aurora (Northern Lights) could be visible as far south as Alabama and northern California tonight.
The Alert is in effect through Monday, June 2, and the primary area of impact lies poleward of 50 degrees North Geomagnetic Latitude. G4 (Severe) conditions have been observed. The disturbed conditions are expected to persist into early on June 2. Geomagnetic storms are rated on a scale from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme).
Generally, the best aurora viewing is usually within an hour or two of midnight (between 10 PM and 2 AM local time). These hours of active aurora expand towards evening and morning as the level of geomagnetic activity increases. There may be visible aurora in the evening and morning but it is usually not as active and therefore, not as visually appealing.
Snap a photo of the northern sky
You may not be able to see an aurora with the naked eye tonight, but your phone might! Find a dark area with a good view of the north and take photos of the night sky with your phone camera, “you might get a nice surprise,” to quote an expert.
As always, please share your photos with us. Text them to 530-478-9600 with your name (for the photo credit) and location, or email news@yubanet.com.