Overview
- NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center has a G4 watch in effect for Wednesday following a burst of CMEs tied to an X5.1 flare, with earlier G2 activity Tuesday and a G3 outlook for Thursday.
- Auroral visibility could extend to roughly 21 states and may reach as far south as Alabama and Northern California, with the best viewing window generally from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. local time.
- The strongest impacts are forecast around mid‑day Wednesday into the night, though timing carries only moderate certainty until near‑Earth measurements provide 15 to 60 minutes of lead time.
- A severe storm can disrupt high‑frequency radio, GPS accuracy, satellite operations, and parts of the power grid; Tuesday’s flare already caused radio blackouts over parts of Africa and Europe.
- Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology also expects G4 conditions with potential aurora visibility as far north as Perth and Sydney, and experts recommend dark skies and camera or phone long exposures to catch faint displays.