NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) issued a rare severe geomagnetic storm (G4) on Saturday ahead of the expected arrival of high energy particles from the Sunday. Short term radio communication blackouts were observed on Saturday ahead of what could be the most intense display of aurora borealis across the Northern United States since October of last year.
CME arrival at Earth is anticipated and a G4 Watch is now in effect for 2 Jun. CME arrival later on 1 Jun could lead to G3, with G4 potential increased on 2 Jun, and as CME passage weakens, G1-G2 still possible on 3 Jun. Full story at https://t.co/1XbPMluPTX pic.twitter.com/XWAb6H77Kw
— NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) May 31, 2025
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WATCH HEREYou may recall the views we had around the Bay Area also in May 2024, where many we able to get photos or time-lapse videos of aurora borealis on their cameras and smartphones using three seconds to 10 second time exposure settings. The vibrant colors are caused by upper atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen molecules reacting to the high energy solar particles, acting a bit like a neon tube.
On Saturday, SWPC forecasters were expecting the peak of the current solar storm in the Sunday night to Monday dayside timeframe.
But as of Sunday afternoon, Aurora viewing has likely peaked already with the early arrival of the coronal mass ejection (CME) that triggered aurora displays across Northern California late Saturday night to sunrise Sunday morning.
Update from SWPC also looking to decreasing activity for tonight re #auroraborealis the snapshot from @ALERTCalifornia NE of Lassen close to the likely peak for this event close to midnight last night 6/1/2025 #CAwx https://t.co/q8ouyRR9If pic.twitter.com/aHWqwSqECH
— Rob Mayeda (@RobMayeda) June 1, 2025
Chance for aurora viewing potential starting up in the Sunday night - Monday timeframe … stay tuned. https://t.co/00zKUFR0Jw
— Rob Mayeda (@RobMayeda) May 31, 2025
NBC Bay Area's Rob Mayeda shares viewing tips and some of the science behind what makes the aurora borealis also known as the northern lights visible in our skies in the video above.
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