Overview

• NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center issued G1–G3 watches for Oct. 2–3, with activity strongest on Thursday and a Kp near 4 forecast for Friday night.
• Auroras were widely reported across Canada and parts of the northern United States, reaching Alaska and states including Washington, Idaho, Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York and Maine, with sightings as far south as Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
• Forecasters expect elevated but declining activity through the weekend, with Kp just over 3 on Saturday and Sunday and the best chances remaining near the U.S.–Canada border.
• NOAA ties the week’s displays to a high‑speed solar wind stream and a recent coronal mass ejection, with seasonal alignment near the equinox boosting geomagnetic coupling.
• Experts advise dark, north‑facing locations between about 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. and monitoring real‑time Bz and Kp data, noting minor satellite and radio navigation disruptions remain possible.