Hold onto your phones and cameras, skywatchers! A major solar storm is set to hit Earth starting Thursday, potentially painting the night sky with dazzling auroras visible as far south as Alabama and northern California. The U.S. Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) confirmed the incoming blast of solar plasma and magnetic energy could trigger a G4-level geomagnetic storm — one notch below extreme levels seen earlier this year.
Why it’s happening: The sun is nearing the peak of its 11-year activity cycle, firing off solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) like cosmic confetti. This particular CME is racing toward us at 4 million km/h — yes, that’s faster than your TikTok feed updates!
\"Think of it as the sun’s way of sending us a light show with a side of tech headaches,\" says SWPC’s Shawn Dahl. While auroras might steal the spotlight, experts warn satellite operators, airlines, and power grids are on alert. Remember the May 2024 storms? They caused GPS glitches for Midwest farmers and made satellites drop altitude like misbehaving drones.
\"Aim your phone cameras even if you don’t see colors — modern sensors often catch auroras our eyes miss!\" — Space weather experts
What to expect:
Best aurora views: Late Thursday to Friday, away from city lights
Possible GPS or radio signal hiccups
Power companies prepping (but no need to panic-buy flashlights!)
FEMA’s already juggling hurricane responses, so let’s hope this solar drama stays photogenic rather than problematic. Stay tuned for updates — and charge those camera batteries!
A major solar storm is set to hit Earth starting Thursday, potentially painting the night sky with dazzling auroras visible as far south as Alabama and northern California. The U.S. Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) confirmed the incoming blast of solar plasma and magnetic energy could trigger a G4-level geomagnetic storm — one notch below extreme levels seen earlier this year.
Why it’s happening: The sun is nearing the peak of its 11-year activity cycle, firing off solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) like cosmic confetti. This particular CME is racing toward us at 4 million km/h — yes, that’s faster than your TikTok feed updates! 
What to expect:
Best aurora views: Late Thursday to Friday, away from city lights
Possible GPS or radio signal hiccups
Power companies prepping (but no need to panic-buy flashlights!)
Stay tuned for updates — and charge those camera batteries!
Could Improve Solar…
