G1 Geomagnetic Storm Could Bring Auroras to Northern U.S. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm watch for the period June 29–30, with a slight possibility of the storm briefly reaching G2 (moderate) levels if a coronal mass ejection (CME) interacts favorably with Earth’s magnetic field. Forecasters predict the storm’s peak Ap values will reach 25 on June 30 before declining to 12 by July 1. Real-time Kp index readings, which measure geomagnetic activity, remained low at 1.00 as of early June 29, leaving the timing and intensity of the storm uncertain. Auroras, or the northern lights, could become visible in northern U.S. states near the Canadian border, including Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine. Stronger geomagnetic activity might extend visibility further south, potentially reaching Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Optimal viewing conditions are expected between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time from dark locations with clear northern horizons. However, the bright Strawberry Moon may wash out fainter auroral displays, reducing visibility in some areas. The aurora forecast stems from a solar eruption on June 26, during which a CME was launched, carrying billions of tons of magnetized plasma toward Earth. When this CME collides with Earth’s magnetosphere, it can trigger geomagnetic storms that expand the auroral oval southward. The storm’s intensity depends heavily on the Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field.#national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration #noaa #space_weather_prediction_center #coronal_mass_ejection #ovation_aurora_model
