Aurora Borealis Lights Up the Sky from Montana to Missouri
Montana and Missouri residents were treated to a stunning display of the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, as sightings were reported throughout the night. Forecasters had predicted that the phenomenon would be visible over the West and Midwest regions until dawn on Tuesday.
The northern lights derive their name from the way they illuminate the sky at higher latitudes. On Monday night, the spectacle produced pillars of red or purple light in some areas, while others witnessed green and purple blotches. The vivid colors painted the night sky, resembling brushstrokes of glow-in-the-dark paint.
The National Weather Service office in Glasgow, Montana, excitedly shared images of the northern lights captured by its staff. Social media users in Indiana, Oklahoma, and the upper Midwest also reported their sightings. The Weather Service office in Duluth, Minnesota, assured that the aurora would be visible across the Northland for several hours. Meteorologist Eric Snitil from WROC in Rochester, New York, expressed optimism about the viewing conditions in western New York State.
Although the northern lights are sometimes only visible through the lens of a camera, many witnesses attested that the phenomenon was highly visible to the naked eye. Tyler Schlitt, a part-time photographer near St. Louis, remarked that eastern Missouri experienced a breathtaking display on Monday night. He added that some people may mistake the lights for clouds, but a remarkable aurora show is hard to miss.
The Space Weather Prediction Center, a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, had forecasted a “moderate” geomagnetic storm to occur in the northern United States late Monday into Tuesday. In a subsequent update, the center noted that “strong” geomagnetic activity was underway. According to the center, the aurora could be visible as far as Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Oregon.
Geomagnetic disturbances, which impact power grids and satellites, are measured on a scale ranging from minor to extreme. The higher the G-storm level, the farther south the northern lights can be observed. In severe or extreme disturbances, they have been known to appear as far south as Florida. William Murtagh, the program coordinator at the Space Weather Prediction Center, explained that while the worst of the disturbance had likely passed, some northern states would continue to experience visible aurora.
Lt. Bryan R. Brasher, a project manager at the center, predicted that unsettled and active geomagnetic activity would persist into Wednesday. However, he believes that the aurora’s visibility on Tuesday night may not extend as far south as it did on Monday.
Tyler Schlitt, the photographer in Missouri, noticed a fading of the red pillars he had witnessed earlier in the night. With a long drive home and an early workday approaching, he contemplated leaving soon but would stay longer if the colors on his camera screen were to intensify.
As the natural wonder of the aurora borealis continues to captivate observers across the United States, many marvel at the beauty and mystery of this awe-inspiring phenomenon.