A massive geomagnetic storm may light up the Seattle sky this week

It’s the season for Northern Lights because there’s another chance to spot the aurora over Seattle this week.

According to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, “High(+++) aurora activity forecasted. If skies are clear, highly active auroral displays may be visible overhead from locations such as Inuvik, Yellowknife, Rankin, and Iqaluit, Canada, to Carson City, Oklahoma City, Little Rock, and Raleigh, U.S.A.; and may be visible low on the horizon from Southern California, Phoenix, Austin, and Montgomery, U.S.A.”

When is the best time to see the Northern Lights?

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has also issued “G4 (Severe) Geomagnetic Storm Watches” for Thursday night and early Friday morning.

The G4 severe storm watch states that “A fast coronal mass ejection (CME) erupted from the Sun the evening of 8 October 2024, and is likely to arrive at Earth on 10 October.”

The best place to see the lights

If you can, try to find somewhere dark with minimal light pollution from the city.

The Seattle Waterfront Association suggested seeking out “an unobstructed view of the northern horizon shielded from city lights.” earlier this summer when we experienced an intense G4 Geometric Storm.

A few spots within a 10-mile radius of the Seattle city center are Golden Gardens Park, Carkeek Park, and Discovery Park.

What is the weather looking like?

The highest activity over Seattle will be this Thursday evening, so we’re hoping there might be a break in the clouds. As of right now, the National Weather Service states that Thursday night will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 47 °F.

Make sure you snap some pictures if you see anything!

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