JACKSON, Wyo. — A strong geomagnetic storm is on the way, but potentially snowy weather over Jackson Hole might hamper chances of seeing the northern lights tonight.
Coronal mass ejections (large clouds of plasma and magnetic fields emitted by the sun) led to a G3-level (on a scale of 0 to 5) geomagnetic storm, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center. The Kp index is expected to reach level 7 over the next 24 hours, which might make the northern lights visible as far south as Wyoming. Derived from the German “Planetarische Kennziffer,” or planetary index, the Kp scale runs from 0 to 9.
As explained by Wyoming Stargazing, the Kp index “measures the disruption of the horizontal distribution of the geomagnetic activity… A 4 would push them down into southern Canada, while a 5, in the right conditions, might just barely be visible on the northern horizon here in Jackson Hole. To see them well, we typically need at least a 6.”
Unfortunately, illumination from the full moon and anticipated cloud cover might dash any local skywatching plans. Keep an eye on the forecast here. Driving to a location with clearer skies is always an option.
If tonight’s viewing conditions don’t work out, soothe the disappointment with an abundance of beautiful northern lights photos. Buckrail reader Griffin Kerwin glimpsed the aurora over Yellowstone National Park just last week.
