Major Solar Storm Could Get the Northern Lights Dancing

The sun is expected to generate its largest flare of the year in the coming days, resulting in the northern lights possibly putting on a show as far south as Alabama. While these lights may show up by Tuesday, the bigger event is forecast to hold off until Wednesday. Here is a look at the solar storm and when to expect the best opportunities to get a glimpse of the aurora borealis.

Large Solar Flare Will Support Possible Northern Lights Showing

A severe storm could send the northern lights dancing across the sky throughout much of the U.S. through Wednesday. According to the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) out of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Tuesday's X5.1 solar flare is the 6th largest of solar cycle 25. Experts are predicting that the Tuesday event could end up ranking among the top 40 in the modern space age.

As such, the SWPC has issued a rare Severe Geomagnetic Storm Watch through Wednesday. A "rare" designation equates to a level 4 of 5. The current X5.1 flare is now the strongest since the X9.0 flare, dating back to October of 2024. That flare is on top of the list for the largest of the current solar cycle.

The latest flare sent out charged particles toward Earth, triggering a major radiation storm. This storm is expected to cause the northern lights as far as Northern California on the West Coast and into the Southeast on the East Coast.