‘Solar Tsunami’ Hits Earth, Promising Northern Lights Amid Potential Disruptions

Geomagnetic storms as severe as this one can ’trigger spectacular displays of aurora on Earth.’

A solar flare, as seen in the bright flash in the lower right, captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory on May 9, 2024. NASA/SDO via AP

An unusually strong solar storm hitting Earth could produce northern lights in the United States this weekend and potentially disrupt power and communications.

In advance of the solar storm hitting, the Space Weather Prediction Center  (SWPC) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued its first severe geomagnetic storm watch warning since January 2005.