'Severe' Geomagnetic Storm Could Bring Tech Disruptions, Northern Lights To PA

UPDATE, 7:49 p.m.: The Northern Lights are visible Thursday night in Pennsylvania skies. See photos.

PENNSYLVANIA — Spotty internet, cell and radio service may plague Pennsylvania Thursday and Friday, as a severe geomagnetic storm is expected to impact Earth.

Charged particles entering the atmosphere from a major eruption on the Sun will also increase the chance for Keystone State residents to see the aurora borealis (northern lights) over the next few days, according to the the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The storm could also temporarily disrupt power and radio signals.

Space weather forecasters have issued a severe, G4-level geomagnetic storm watch, only the second of that severity in 20 years, after a strong X-class solar flare and coronal mass ejection that could push the aurora borealis to the middle of the country. The watch continues through Friday and could be extended.

Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency have been notified of the potential for communications glitches as well as disruptions to the power grid. Utilities in the North American pwoer grid also have been notified. Both are standard protocol with any geomagnetic storm of this level, but especially vital as FEMA responds to back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton battering the Southeast.

“We don’t know yet what this storm will bring us,” space weather forecaster Shawn Dahl said.

The geomagnetic storm is ranked a G4 on a scale of 1-5, and the Kp Index, the measure of auroral strength, is 8 on a scale that top-ends at 9. A Kp index of 5 is generally required for the aurora borealis to be visible.

Forecasters do not expect the latest solar storm to surpass the one that slammed Earth in May, which was the strongest in more than two decades. But they won’t know for sure until it comes within 1 million miles of Earth, where spacecraft can measure it.

The sun is near the peak of its current 11-year cycle, sparking all the recent solar activity.

Related articles —

• ‘Severe’ Geomagnetic Storm Means Aurora May Be Seen In A Third Of U.S.
• As Sun Nears Solar Maximum Peak, More Northern Lights Displays Likely
• Aurora Borealis Hunting: What’s A Kp Index, More Northern Lights Tips

This article contains reporting by Patch's Beth Dalbey.