School districts delay start, go online or cancel as winter storm brings snowy, windy conditions

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There could be an overnight light show in the northern sky above Minnesota this week. Several earthward-directed Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) could strike the earth’s atmosphere this week. They have the potential to cause a burst of northern lights as far south as Iowa.

NOAA’s Space Weather Center has issued a geomagnetic storm watch. 

Here’s more detail on possible conditions from NOAA.

This week’s event could be what space watchers call a cannibal CME event. That happens when two CMEs blast off the sun in close proximity. If the second wave overtakes the lead wave they can combine to form a stronger solar storm as it hits earth. 

Night owls may want to keep an eye on the nighttime sky especially Wednesday night into early Thursday. The best chance to see an aurora is far away from city lights in an area with a dark view of the northern sky.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

Geomagnetic storms could drive the northern lights this week.

Aurora Alert: Geomagnetic storm watch for potential 'cannibal CME'

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