Mother Nature is once again presenting us with a spectacular natural phenomenon. State agencies report that a powerful geomagnetic storm, similar to the one in May, will result in highly visible auroras.
The Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a G3 geomagnetic storm watch, the third-highest level, from July 29 to July 31. According to official information, activity is expected to peak on Tuesday as solar flares and coronal mass ejections from the sun reach Earth.
Although strong geomagnetic storms are rare, they are more frequent than the extreme G5 storm in May, which produced auroras visible in unusual locations. If the predicted G3 conditions occur, auroras could be seen as far south as Illinois and Oregon. However, they won’t be visible in Southern California, though our neighbors in the far northern part of the state might get a glimpse.
If you’re eager to stargaze, keep an eye out for the Perseids, which are expected to be in full activity in the coming days.