Northern lights may dazzle Washington skies Monday, due to a severe geomagnetic storm alert. Here’s what to know. <\/p>\n
SEATTLE \u2014 The northern lights\u00a0<\/a>may be visible Monday in Washington state, so long as skies stay clear of clouds.<\/p>\n According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center<\/a> forecast for Monday, Jan. 19, the aurora may become visible as far south as Missouri.\u00a0<\/p>\n The “Kp,” which is the scale NOAA uses to measure the maximum forecasted geomagnetic activity, is an eight on a scale from zero to nine for Monday night’s aurora forecast, as of Monday afternoon. It will drop to a four Tuesday night, according to the forecast.<\/a><\/p>\n A severe G-4 geomagnetic storm watch<\/a> has been issued for Monday night and early Tuesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n Back in November, the northern lights put on colorful displays across the U.S.<\/a>, including here in Washington state<\/a>, following a severe G4 geomagnetic storm watch. G4-level watches are rare, with only four alerts issued so far this solar cycle, NOAA previously said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With widespread aurora displays possible Monday night, there is a high chance it will be visible overhead in Washington. Should it occur, clouds may limit some viewing, but the thicker clouds may not even develop until overnight.\u00a0<\/p>\n If the aurora develops, the best chance to see it is expected to be earlier in the evening, based on the current forecast, rather than later in the night.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nViewing the northern lights in Washington state <\/p>\n