The northern lights could illuminate skies across the northern U.S. tonight (Jan. 8-9) according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC).
An incoming stream of fast solar wind from an Earth-facing coronal hole is expected to peak overnight, with speeds reaching up to 700 km/s — more than double the usual background level. Space weather forecasters are also monitoring several incoming coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that could deliver glancing blows to Earth. Together, these enhanced wind speeds and potential CME impacts could push geomagnetic conditions to minor (G1) storm levels tonight.
