Northern Lights Display Over Western Washington
Aurora Borealis Visible Friday Night in Seattle
Geomagnetic Storm Brings Chance of Additional Aurora Displays Overnight
A severe geomagnetic storm on Friday night, May 10, 2024, brought spectacular views of the Northern Lights to Seattle-area stargazers. The storm, which resulted from a strong solar flare, caused the lights to be visible as far south as Western Washington.
The aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, is a beautiful natural phenomenon that occurs when charged particles from the sun interact with the Earth's magnetic field. The particles are guided by the magnetic field towards the North and South Poles, where they collide with atoms and molecules in the Earth's atmosphere, causing them to glow.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the geomagnetic storm that hit Earth on Friday night was a G2-class storm, which is considered a moderate storm. The storm is expected to continue through the night, and there is a chance that the aurora borealis will be visible again over Western Washington.
If you are interested in seeing the aurora borealis, it is important to find a dark location with clear skies. The lights are typically best visible between midnight and 2 a.m., but they can sometimes be seen earlier or later in the night. You can also check the NOAA's aurora forecast to see if there is a chance of seeing the lights in your area.
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