Historic Solar Storm Study Warns of More Frequent Extreme Events; Current Geomagnetic Storm May Bring Auroras South

Scientists confirm 1872 solar storm as one of the most extreme, warn of potential disruptions in today's technology. Meanwhile, ongoing solar activity could make northern lights visible in unusual locations.

An international team of scientists has published a detailed study of a huge solar storm in February 1872, confirming that such extreme storms are more common than previously thought. The storm disrupted telegraph communications and would have significant impacts on today's technologically dependent society.
A strong geomagnetic storm is expected to hit Earth after several outbursts from the sun merged into one large plasma eruption. This could cause auroras to be visible as far south as Illinois and Oregon.
The sun has been particularly active recently, releasing multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs). If multiple CMEs are expelled in succession, faster bursts can overtake and assimilate slower ones in front to create what scientists call cannibal CMEs.
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center upgraded the strength of the potential incoming geomagnetic storm from G2 to a possible G3 level. The geomagnetic storm scale goes from G1 – labeled as weak – to G5, which is considered extreme.
NOAA forecasts auroras to reach across most of Canada and potentially into the northern US by Dec. 1. If you want to view the potentially magnificent displays of aurora borealis on Friday, you'll need to be in a fairly remote area, far away from competing big city lights.

The Salt Lake Tribune