US EditionPowerful Solar Flare Could Bring Northern Lights to 22 States
The X1.9-class solar flare from sunspot AR4341 triggered a rare S3-level radiation storm and a full-halo CME that may cause geomagnetic storms and auroras across 24 U.S. states.
- On Sunday, Jan. 18, a powerful X1.9-class solar flare from sunspot region AR4341 peaked at 1:09 p.m. EST, producing an Earth-directed CME expected to impact on January 20, 2026.
- Forecasters note the CME's speed, direction and magnetic orientation determine its interaction with Earth's magnetosphere, with the full-halo CME from sunspot region AR4341 directed toward Earth.
- Measurements show an S3 radiation storm after e10 MeV proton flux exceeded 1 000 pfu at 10:20 UTC on January 19, triggering strong R3 radio blackouts across the sunlit Americas while GOES-18 shows sustained proton increases.
- NOAA's aurora viewline shows the Northern Lights may be seen in up to 24 U.S. states down to mid-latitudes overnight on Monday, Jan. 19 through Tuesday, Jan. 20, and the new moon on Sunday, Jan. 18 will darken skies for better visibility.
- Forecasts hinge on the CME's Bz orientation, which forecasters will sample using DSCOVR and ACE spacecraft since a sustained southward Bz of-5 nT usually signals aurora and the U.K. Met Office warns of G3 to G4 storm risks.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Intense Auroras Are Possible Tonight
Sunspot 4341 erupted yesterday afternoon, producing a super-powerful X-class solar flare that lasted for hours. The resulting radiation hit Earth's atmosphere, even causing a temporary radio blackout at short wavelengths. However, of much more interest to photographers is the solar flare's Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) that is headed toward Earth now. It may trigger a G4-class geomagnetic storm, which could, in turn, deliver incredible auroras as …
There Are Orange and Yellow Alerts Due to Storms for This Sunday, January 18: the Affected Provinces
The National Weather Service (SMN) issued a series of orange and yellow alerts for storms for Sunday, January 18. According to the agency under the Ministry of Defense, there will be 16 affected provinces. In some districts the expected phenomena involve events that, as detailed by the SMN, can be “dangerous for society, life, goods and the environment.” According to the official part, the orange alert for storms governs the northwest of Corrien…
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