Geomagnetic storm may cause Northern Lights to be visible in Seattle

You may want to look up, Seattle! If the skies are clear this week, there’s a chance you’ll be able to catch the Northern Lights in Seattle.

According to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, auroral activity will be high this week, including on the 11th, 12th, and 13th of September.

“Auroral activity will be high. Weather permitting, highly active auroral displays will be visible overhead from Inuvik, Yellowknife, Rankin and Iqaluit to Juneau, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay and Sept-Iles, and visible low on the horizon from Seattle, Des Moines, Chicago, Cleveland, Boston, and Halifax,” it states.

Low on the horizon, but we’ll take those chances!

The NOAA space weather forecasters shared that “G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storm levels are likely on 13 Sep (UTC day) due to CME influences from an eruption that occurred early on 10 Sep.”

While it is not as strong as the one we experienced earlier this summer, which was a G4 Geometric Storm, no harm in looking up if we may be along this path!

When to check out the Aurora?

When we experienced the July Aurora Borealis, The Seattle Waterfront Association said that “Auroras are best seen between the onset of darkness and 2 AM, when the night sky is darkest.”

It added that the Aurora can appear at any moment within this window.

What are the best spots to see them?

As for spots to check it out, they suggested locations with “unobstructed view of the northern horizon and are shielded from city lights.”

They suggest Ballard’s Golden Gate Park, as well as Carkeek Park, or Discovery Park.

We like Carkeek Park, and it also “offers a darker atmosphere due to its distance from downtown and an expansive view of the sky over Puget Sound.”

If you head to a park, ensure you follow any park rules and timings.

Be sure to grab those layers, as it can get chilly.

Let’s hope for clear skies!

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