Northern lights dazzle parts of US, dipping as far south as Florida

(Gray News) - The northern lights illuminated the skies Thursday night farther south than usual, dazzling parts of the U.S. and other areas in the Northern Hemisphere.

A solar storm allowed for colorful auroras to be seen in Germany, the United Kingdom, and various parts of the U.S. like New England, California and the Plains states.

People as far south as Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida reported sightings of the dazzling lights.

A severe geomagnetic storm watch was issued Wednesday by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration after an outburst from the sun was detected earlier in the week.

Space weather forecasters were concerned prior to the solar storm that it would stress power grids as the U.S. deals with the aftermath of Helene and now Milton.

Forecasters said that Florida would be far south enough to avoid power disruptions but warned them as a precaution. They were more concerned with disruptions impacting areas hit by Hurricane Helene such as power grids in North Carolina.

Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of disruptions to power or communications.

The solar storm was not expected to be as intense as one that occurred earlier this year.

That solar storm, which occurred in May, was the strongest to hit the Earth in more than two decades. It too produced auroras throughout the U.S. and fortunately caused no major disruptions.

NOAA’s forecast for Friday shows higher-than-normal activity but the chances of catching the northern lights anywhere south of the northern Plains states is slim.

There has been an increase in solar storms and activity this year. Astronomers say this is because the sun is nearing the peak of its 11-year cycle.

Copyright 2024 Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.