Aurora Alert — Minor Storm Predicted Friday night, March 12-13

Green-glowing arcs pierced by narrow rays appear low in the northern sky from Duluth, Minn. around 9:30 p.m. March 5. Bob King

It was just a week ago that skywatchers in the northern states and Canada witnessed a pretty aurora display. NOAA's space weather forecast predicted a G1 or minor geomagnetic storm that night, and it appeared right on schedule. During that aurora, we saw arcs and a fine display of parallel rays slowly marching across the bottom of the northern sky from about 8:30 to 10 p.m.

For a brief time on March 5, bright rays dappled the northern sky. Bob King

That's why I'm excited about the forecast for tonight (March 12). If it's a repeat, you don't want to miss it. The best time to watch will be from the onset of darkness until around 1 a.m. Central Time. Usually, a little later is better, so if you don't see anything at 8 or 9 p.m., check at 10 and then again at 11. As far as location, the farther north you live the better. Observers in the northern half of the northern border states, Canada and northern Europe have the best chance of seeing the lights. 

If you haven't already, find a location today with a dark, northern horizon and drive there tonight for a look. Bring a friend to share the sight and also for safety, since aurora-watchers often find themselves wandering around the boonies at midnight. Friends or family also help with commiserating when you come back empty-handed.

If you spot an arc and see it brighten or double, stick around and wait. If the arc fades away, you can probably head home. Remember to look out your door and check one last time before you go to bed... just in case.

Aurora captured over Canada by the Suomi NPP satellite on the night of March 5-6, 2021. The altitude of the aurora is so high (at least 50 miles / 80 km) that even though it's located well north of the U.S. border, it towers high enough to appear in the northern sky from the northern states.  NOAA / NASA

Auroras can be fiendishly fickle. Two people going out at two different times on the same night may have two entirely different aurora experiences. The one who looked at 9 p.m. reports a great show. The other who drove out at 11, an otherwise ideal time, sees nothing. Since clear weather is forecast for Minnesota tonight, I'll be watching and will post photos if I see something. 

Multiple coronal holes aimed in Earth's direction, seen in this photo taken in far-ultraviolet (UV) light on March 10, are behind tonight's storm prediction. NASA / SDO

What's behind tonight's G1 forecast? If you guessed coronal hole, you're right. High-speed streams of solar plasma (subatomic particles) from the sun pour through these holes and can incite auroras when they're directed toward the Earth. 

Good luck and clear skies!

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