HARTFORD, Conn. — The Northern Lights could be visible above Connecticut early on Friday between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., according to FOX61’s Chief Meteorologist Rachel Frank.
A combination of solar flares and eruptions from the sun could spark significant geomagnetic storms that have potential to “trigger spectacular displays of aurora on Earth,” as was reported on Thursday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Frank noted that a rare G4 geomagnetic storm is occurring, meaning that a series of magnetic shockwaves are encountering Earth’s magnetic field, converting the electromagnetic energy into the aurora borealis – or the Northern Lights.
Northern Lights seen in Connecticut sky
“This is the first storm of this magnitude since 2005,” Frank said. “So, it’s called a coronal mass ejection; a mass of solar particles has been ejected from the sun. They’re coming into collision with the Earth’s atmosphere, and at this level, it’s enough to disrupt GPS systems, to disrupt local power grids, and disrupt high-frequency radio transmissions as well.”
If the clouds clear in the early morning hours on Friday, Frank said Connecticut residents might be able to look up to the sky and witness an aurora borealis. Frank acknowledged that the forecasts can be extremely difficult to predict.
“It’s more challenging to forecast space weather than it is to forecast actual weather, and nine times out of 10 that we think we can see an aurora in Connecticut, it doesn’t pan out,” Frank said.
However, Frank believes that this is the best chance that the people of Connecticut will have to view an aurora borealis in a really long time. As the geomagnetic storm peaks between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., the skies could light up.
“If you want to see an aurora, you need to get away from city lights and look to the northern horizon. I would get to a high point that is unobstructed by trees that is dark so there’s no city lights that are coming into the night sky, and just have your patience,” Frank said.
Often, Frank said it can be easier to capture a picture of an aurora than it is to view it with one’s own eyes, especially if the individual is using a long-exposure camera. For those looking to view the lights in the middle of the night, if they have trouble seeing the aurora with their own eyes, take a camera out and set it to long exposure.
“Most iPhones do that automatically now in low light settings, and that might be your best option trying to see it,” Frank said.
Frank assured residents that if the geomagnetic storm interrupts GPS signals or causes power grid issues, it will be in the middle of the night. She is optimistic that the effects will be kept to a minimum for people in their daily lives.
For Frank, an Emmy Award-winning meteorologist, the geomagnetic storm, and potential aurora, present an exciting opportunity to share her love of science with FOX61’s viewers. She also said it can be nerve wracking not knowing exactly what the visibility of the rare event will be.
Frank said she doesn’t want to set people up for failure and get their hopes up because there are so many instances where predictions fall through.
“So, I try to tell them about the potential and also give them a dose of reality to know that these forecasts can be really tricky, and I want to make sure I don’t oversell it, but also want to make sure that the people who really want to see this have all the information they can to give it a shot,” Frank said.
Anyone who takes pictures of the lights in the sky is encouraged to submit them to Frank at Facebook or X. She said there is a chance they could be shared on a future newscast.
----
Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
----
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
----
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.