Southern Skies Might Glow: A Rare Chance to See Northern Lights

The sun has been acting up, and that might mean a special light show for some folks in the Carolinas. A big solar flare sent a bunch of charged particles our way. These particles could mess with Earth's magnetic field and create the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis. This is a big deal because the northern lights are usually only seen way up north, like in Alaska or Canada. But this time, they might be visible as far south as the Carolinas. The sun's activity is rated on a scale from G1 to G5, with G5 being the most extreme. This event is a G4, which is pretty severe. During a G4 storm, the aurora oval, the ring where northern lights usually happen, can expand southward. So, if everything lines up just right, people in the Carolinas might get to see this amazing natural light show. But don't get your hopes up too high. There are a few things that need to happen for the Carolinas to see the northern lights. First, the sky needs to be clear. Clouds will block the view completely. Second, you need to be in a dark location, away from city lights. Third, the storm has to peak during nighttime hours in our region. And finally, the storm has to be strong enough. The G4 watch gives us hope, but the intensity can vary.If the storm develops as forecast, the best time to look for the northern lights in the Carolinas would be late evening on Monday into early Tuesday morning. To see them, head to a location with minimal light pollution, like a rural area away from towns and cities. Look toward the northern horizon after dark. If the aurora activity reaches our region, you might see a faint green or reddish glow. But the northern lights aren't the only thing that could happen during a G4 geomagnetic storm. These storms can also impact GPS and navigation systems, power grids, satellite communications, and radio communications. However, widespread outages are unlikely. Airlines and maritime operations might experience brief issues, but overall, the impacts are usually minor. This is a rare opportunity. G4 geomagnetic storms don't happen often, and aurora sightings in the Carolinas are even rarer. While we can't guarantee you'll see the northern lights, the conditions are favorable. So, if you do spot the aurora, share your photos on social media or submit them through a local weather website. They'd love to feature your captures. Stay tuned for updates as Tuesday approaches. More specific guidance on viewing conditions and timing will be provided. This is a chance to see something amazing, so keep your fingers crossed and your eyes on the sky.