The northern lights are expected to be visible across several northern states on Tuesday night, as per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecast. Additionally, a recent solar flare may significantly disrupt radio frequencies this week.
NOAA has predicted a Kp index of three on a scale of nine for Tuesday, indicating that the northern lights will extend further from the North Pole, offering a visually appealing spectacle for those in the appropriate regions.
According to NOAA’s three-day forecast, there is a high likelihood of minor to moderate radio blackouts through Thursday. There is also a possibility of a “strong” disruption event that could interfere with low-frequency navigation signals and lead to a loss of radio contact.
The radio blackout warning follows an X2.2 solar flare, classified by NASA as the most intense, which occurred on December 8. This event coincided with a coronal mass ejection, a phenomenon on the sun’s surface linked to increased auroral activity. However, it remains uncertain whether this will impact Earth.
NOAA is currently analyzing the coronal mass ejection to determine if any warnings, forecasts, or watches need to be issued.