Intense northern lights illuminate the sky after geomagnetic storm

Juneau. The northern lights could be visible across Canada and much of the northern US states – and possibly further south – on Monday night, following a major disturbance in the Earth’s magnetic field, a forecast shows. The prediction, from the Space Weather Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), comes amid intense geomagnetic storms and solar radiation, said Shawn Dahl, service coordinator at the center.

Geomagnetic storms – which can lead to intense northern lights – can also interfere with satellite operations, GPS communications and other infrastructure, according to the US Geological Survey. Dahl said the current storm is not expected to weaken much until sometime Tuesday.

Last November, solar storms generated vibrant auroras in parts of Europe, including Hungary and the United Kingdom, and as far south in the United States as Kansas, Colorado and Texas.

Solar radiation storms can affect objects in space and certain types of communication systems, but Dahl noted that astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) are not currently at risk.

A storm with the intensity of this one had not been recorded in more than two decades, said Shawn Dahl of the NOOA.