A solar blast barreling toward Earth could nudge the northern lights into view for parts of Oregon late Wednesday night, giving Portland-area skywatchers a rare shot at an aurora, if the clouds play nice. Forecasters say any display will probably be faint and hug the northern horizon, so your best bet is a dark, wide-open spot far from city lights. Bring a camera, since phone sensors often pick up subtle aurora glows before your eyes do.
NOAA Watch And Where The Lights Could Reach
As reported by OregonLive, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a geomagnetic-storm watch, and its aurora viewline map suggests the lights could be visible in roughly 21 states, including Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. The Oregonian notes that the odds in Oregon depend heavily on the timing and strength of a coronal mass ejection expected to arrive later this week.
Tracking The 30-Minute Aurora Forecast
NOAA keeps a 30-minute aurora forecast that updates in near real time with solar-wind measurements and Kp-index predictions, and it is still the best quick-look tool for seeing whether the lights are likely to reach your area. Check NOAA SWPC before you head out for the latest viewline and strength estimates.
When To Look And What You Might See
Auroras are usually easiest to spot between about 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. During weaker storms they tend to cling low to the northern horizon, which means your camera may capture color and structure that your eyes only register as a vague glow. Space.com notes that Solar Cycle 25 is moving past its peak into a declining phase, a stretch that still brings frequent geomagnetic storms this year and occasional chances for lower-latitude displays.
Clouds Could Shut Down The Show
Even with solid geomagnetic activity, local cloud cover will ultimately decide who actually sees anything, and forecasts this week call for mostly cloudy skies over much of the state. KOIN chief meteorologist Josh Cozart told Yahoo News that "The chance to see the northern lights Wednesday night is extremely low as mostly cloudy skies remain over the Pacific Northwest." If the overcast breaks, head for a dark, elevated vantage point on the northern coast or in the eastern highlands and face north; any aurora that does slip through is likely to show up as faint green bands instead of the dramatic curtains you see in postcards.
