A severe geomagnetic storm lit up the night sky across the United States on Monday (January 19), offering a rare opportunity for skywatchers to witness the Northern Lights far beyond their usual polar regions. The storm, classified as a G4 level, was triggered by the arrival of a fast-moving coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun, which struck Earth’s magnetic field at 2:38 p.m. EST, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center.
The CME, which traveled the 91 million miles from the sun to Earth in just a day, resulted in intense auroral activity that extended as far south as New Mexico and Alabama. The geomagnetic conditions fluctuated between G1 and G4 levels throughout the night, creating stunning displays of the Northern Lights.
Photographers captured breathtaking images of the auroras across the globe, including in Germany, France, and China. In the United States, the auroras were visible in states like New Mexico, where photographer Greg Gage captured the lights from Deming. “The last thing I expected was to catch auroras this far south,” Gage told Space.com.
The storm, however, brought more than just beautiful skies. It posed potential impacts on power systems, spacecraft operations, and satellite navigation. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warned of possible voltage control problems on power grids and increased issues with satellite and radio navigation.
The sun, currently in its solar maximum phase, has been emitting strong solar flares and geomagnetic storms, leading to increased aurora displays. These intense magnetic activities are expected to continue through 2026.
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