A spectacular celestial display is on the cards for North America as a significant disturbance in Earth's magnetic field is set to make the northern lights visible far to the south.
Powerful Solar Activity Drives Aurora Forecast
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a forecast indicating the aurora borealis could be seen across Canada and much of the northern tier of the United States on Monday night. Shawn Dahl, service coordinator at the centre, confirmed the prediction comes amid intense geomagnetic and solar radiation storms.
Dahl stated that this level of storm intensity has not been observed in more than two decades. The current event is not expected to weaken substantially until sometime on Tuesday, 20 January 2026.
Potential Impacts Beyond the Light Show
While the vivid auroras provide a stunning visual spectacle, the geomagnetic storms that cause them can have wider repercussions. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, such events can interfere with satellite operations, GPS communications, and other critical infrastructure.
Solar radiation storms also have the potential to affect objects in space and certain communication systems. However, Dahl reassured that astronauts aboard the International Space Station are not currently at risk from this event.
A Repeat of Recent Solar Spectacles
This event follows a notable display in November, when solar storms brought vibrant auroras to parts of Europe, including Hungary and the United Kingdom. In the United States, the lights were seen as far south as Kansas, Colorado, and Texas, suggesting similar southern visibility could be possible with the current storm.
For skywatchers across the northern United States and Canada, Monday night offers a rare opportunity to witness one of nature's most dazzling phenomena, courtesy of the sun's immense power.
