California auroras possible this weekend

There is the potential of a strong geomagnetic storm this weekend, and it’s possible that some people in “far Northern California” could get a glimpse of an aurora, according to a NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center forecast.Space weather forecaster Shawn Dahl told KCRA 3 Friday morning that the current forecast called for the potential of a G3 storm. Geomagnetic storms are measured from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). The scale is based on powers of 10, meaning a G2 storm is 10 times stronger than a G1 storm and so on.The storm in May that produced auroras across California and as far south as Florida was a G5 storm. So what are the chances that people in California could see the Northern Lights this weekend? “If we in fact reach G3 levels, especially in the mid to high end of G3, yes – it might be possible under the best circumstances for far northern California residents to briefly glimpse the aurora along the very low northern horizon well outside of city lights under clear skies,” Dahl said. Dahl said it is tough to say what the extent of the auroras will be during geomagnetic storms. But generally, the “upper end” of a G3 storm could make it possible to see a visible aurora in Washington State and the northern half of Oregon. If an aurora isn’t visible, it “might be captured as a faint glow with the right digital camera equipment” like cellphones or DSLR cameras. Prime hours are within a few hours before or after midnight, even with the sun setting earlier now, Dahl said. “Still, even though we consider it unlikely, far northern Californians may be able to capture the aurora if the anticipated conditions are very favorable during those nighttime hours and if the anticipated geomagnetic storm is a bit stronger than forecast,” he added. The Space Weather Prediction Center updates its forecast every 30 minutes. You can track the latest forecast here.Meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn said Friday afternoon that of three recent coronal mass ejections from the sun that are making their way toward Earth, the second one gives the best chance of causing auroras on Saturday. Aurora sightings are also reported on the NASA-funded science project Aurorasaurus. You can sign up to get alerts from the Aurorasaurus.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter

There is the potential of a strong geomagnetic storm this weekend, and it’s possible that some people in “far Northern California” could get a glimpse of an aurora, according to a NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center forecast.

Space weather forecaster Shawn Dahl told KCRA 3 Friday morning that the current forecast called for the potential of a G3 storm. Geomagnetic storms are measured from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme).

The scale is based on powers of 10, meaning a G2 storm is 10 times stronger than a G1 storm and so on.

The storm in May that produced auroras across California and as far south as Florida was a G5 storm.

So what are the chances that people in California could see the Northern Lights this weekend?

“If we in fact reach G3 levels, especially in the mid to high end of G3, yes – it might be possible under the best circumstances for far northern California residents to briefly glimpse the aurora along the very low northern horizon well outside of city lights under clear skies,” Dahl said.

Dahl said it is tough to say what the extent of the auroras will be during geomagnetic storms. But generally, the “upper end” of a G3 storm could make it possible to see a visible aurora in Washington State and the northern half of Oregon.

If an aurora isn’t visible, it “might be captured as a faint glow with the right digital camera equipment” like cellphones or DSLR cameras.

Prime hours are within a few hours before or after midnight, even with the sun setting earlier now, Dahl said.

“Still, even though we consider it unlikely, far northern Californians may be able to capture the aurora if the anticipated conditions are very favorable during those nighttime hours and if the anticipated geomagnetic storm is a bit stronger than forecast,” he added.

The Space Weather Prediction Center updates its forecast every 30 minutes. You can track the latest forecast here.

Meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn said Friday afternoon that of three recent coronal mass ejections from the sun that are making their way toward Earth, the second one gives the best chance of causing auroras on Saturday.

Aurora sightings are also reported on the NASA-funded science project Aurorasaurus. You can sign up to get alerts from the Aurorasaurus.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter