Geomagnetic Storm Expands Northern Lights Visibility Across Northern U.S.
A geomagnetic storm is expected to make the aurora borealis visible across parts of the United States this weekend, extending beyond its usual northern boundaries. Typically seen in regions like Alaska and northern Canada, the northern lights may be visible in the northern tier of the U.S. due to heightened solar activity. The best chances for viewing are in states such as Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine. If the storm intensifies, the aurora could be seen as far south as Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire. The aurora borealis occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in the Earth's upper atmosphere, releasing energy as light. This weekend's event is driven by a high-speed stream of solar wind from a coronal hole on the sun. 
