TOLEDO, Ohio — A severe geomagnetic storm is forecasted to interact with Earth's atmosphere late Thursday and into Friday, bringing the possibility of another dazzling Northern Lights show to the region.
According to the Space Weather Prediction Center, a G4 storm is possible between the hours of 2 p.m. Thursday and 2 a.m. Friday. The storm could bring a Northern Lights display, though only visible at all after sunset, as strong as 8 on the Kp index, particularly between the hours of 11 p.m. and 2 a.m.
The Kp index measures the strength of the Northern Lights - also known as the Aurora Borealis - and is measured on a scale of 1 to 9. Lower numbers are common, and render the Aurora only visible in extreme northern latitudes, such as Alaska and Canada.
Kp readings of 7, 8 and 9 are quite rare, but when they do occur, they allow for the possibility of an Aurora at latitudes as far south as the Midwest - including Ohio - and sometimes even further south.
Despite the strength of the possible geomagnetic storm, the Northern Lights may appear faint. The best way to view it is to face north in an area with very little light pollution (rural areas work best). Because the human eye cannot perceive as much light as a camera lens with a lengthened exposure time, images of the Northern Lights may appear more vibrant than in real life.
The geomagnetic forecast could change or shift in the next several hours as we approach the possible storm. Stay with WTOL 11 online and on air for updates.
Viewers across the US were treated to the Northern Lights earlier this year when a geomagnetic storm with a Kp index of 9 arrived on Earth.
Geomagnetic storms are caused when coronal mass ejections from the sun interact with Earth's atmosphere. The interaction has the potential to interfere with power grids and radio signals.
If you capture pictures of the Northern Lights, be sure to send them to us! Download the WTOL 11 News app, then click "Near Me" in the bottom right hand corner. Press "Share with Us" to submit your photo. Be sure to include your name and location for proper credit.
