Northern lights tonight: Powerful solar flare may spark aurora display across Northern U.S.

A strong solar flare has increased the possibility of northern lights visibility tonight, following a burst of energy from the sun that triggered heightened geomagnetic activity. The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center reported an X1.4-class solar flare that produced radio disruptions and launched a coronal mass ejection toward Earth.

Key takeaways

Quick scan — what you need to know:

• A strong solar flare has increased the possibility of northern lights visibility tonight, following a burst of energy from the sun that triggered heightened geomagnetic activity.
• The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center reported an X1.4-class solar flare that produced radio disruptions and launched a coronal mass ejection toward Earth.
• If conditions strengthen, auroras could be seen farther south than usual, including parts of the northern United States.

Background

What led here, in plain terms:

• The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center reported an X1.4-class solar flare that produced radio disruptions and launched a coronal mass ejection toward Earth.
• If conditions strengthen, auroras could be seen farther south than usual, including parts of the northern United States.

Why it matters

Why readers and decision-makers should care:

• If conditions strengthen, auroras could be seen farther south than usual, including parts of the northern United States.
• A strong solar flare has increased the possibility of northern lights visibility tonight, following a burst of energy from the sun that triggered heightened geomagnetic activity.
• The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center reported an X1.4-class solar flare that produced radio disruptions and launched a coronal mass ejection toward Earth.