Geomagnetic Storm Warning for Nov. 2-3

48 Hour Storm Watch.

First 24 hours, 7Kp possible.

Final 24 hours, 6Kp possible.

When does the Aurora storm watch begin?

      The 48 hour magnetic storm watch began 15 hours and 49 minutes ago.

Details and Northern Lights Viewing Tips

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a 48 hour magnetic storm watch indicating a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) or a high speed solar wind stream emanating from the Sun may be heading towards Earth. These fast moving charged particles can cause a Northern Lights display.

The watch begins at the time indicated above. It should be noted that the beginning of the storm watch does not necessarily predict the arrival time of the aurora-causing particles, rather it indicates that, within that 48 hour period, increased activity is expected. Real-time Aurora Borealis forecasts can be obtained at the Aurora Borealis Forecast page at Soft Serve News.

It should be noted that storm watches sometimes turn out not to be as strong as advertised. Aurora watchers will have to wait and see.

Stronger CMEs can sometimes cause trouble for satellites and create problems with electrical grids by inducing currents as the CME cloud interacts with the magnetic field that surrounds the earth. It is this disturbance of the Earth’s magnetic field that causes the Northern Lights. NOAA indicates that power system voltage irregularities may occur. In addition increased drag on low Earth-orbit satellites and orientation problems may occur. Also, intermittent satellite navigation (GPS) problems, including loss-of-lock and increased range errors, may occur.

The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, can range from a faint green glow on the northern horizon to a multicolored, full-sky display which can be one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring scenes in nature.

Aurora Watch
http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/alerts
http://www.twitter.com/aurorawatchuk

Space Weather
http://spaceweather.com/