Overview
- NOAA forecasts a Kp index around 4 on Wednesday night, keeping the aurora possible across up to 15 northern U.S. states, including as far south as Iowa, though conditions are calmer than earlier in the week.
- AuroraWatch issued an amber alert for the U.K. for Wednesday night, with the best viewing typically between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. from dark, north-facing locations away from city lights.
- The storm was driven by an X1.9 solar flare on Jan. 18 and a coronal mass ejection that produced G4 severe geomagnetic conditions on Jan. 19, described by officials as among the strongest in nearly two decades.
- Displays were reported across both hemispheres, with rare visibility across Europe, North America and as far north as Queensland in Australia, and experts said another night of viewing was possible in parts of Australia.
- Public interest surged at viewing spots, including heavy congestion and a treated cliff fall at Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, as agencies warned of potential effects on satellites and navigation systems without confirming widespread disruptions.