Some regions in the U.S. could experience a view of the aurora borealis this Thanksgiving.
Although Thanksgiving might bring cool and rainy weather to various regions nationwide, solar storms could provide an opportunity for some in the U.S. to witness the northern lights.
On Thursday and Friday, expect minor to moderate geomagnetic storms as a result of a filament eruption that occurred on Monday, when the sun released a cloud of high-energy plasma directed toward Earth, as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The recent eruption is paving the way for a spectacular display of colors in the night skies across the U.S. this Thanksgiving, with vibrant greens, reds, and purples expected to dazzle onlookers.
The intensity and duration of the auroras in the sky are influenced by the strength of solar storms, particularly if they achieve G1 or G2 conditions, according to NOAA meteorologist Mike Bettwy in an email.
“This is not expected to be a widespread event and will likely only last for short intervals and could be quite faint in the affected locales,” Bettwy said.
Residents in regions like Washington, Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine are set to experience a spectacular display this holiday weekend. Additionally, individuals in the northern areas of Idaho, Wyoming, New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire may also have the opportunity to witness this natural phenomenon, as reported by NOAA.
Expect to see the stunning aurora borealis Thursday night through early Friday morning.