Severe Solar Storm Triggers Widespread Aurora Visibility Across Northern U.S.

A severe geomagnetic storm has made the aurora borealis visible across much of the northern United States, with potential impacts on satellite operations and communications.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center reported that G4 (Severe) geomagnetic storm levels were first reached at 2:38 p.m. EST on January 19, 2026, following the arrival of a coronal mass ejection (CME). The CME, launched during a powerful X-class solar flare on January 18, traveled toward Earth at speeds between 1,000 and 1,400 km/s.

The intensity of this storm has not been observed in more than two decades, according to Shawn Dahl, service coordinator at NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. The storm isn't expected to weaken significantly until sometime on Tuesday.

The geomagnetic storm has expanded the visibility of the aurora borealis far south of its usual range. NOAA's aurora forecast indicates that the northern lights could be visible as far south as Oregon, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.

In addition to the visual spectacle, the storm poses potential risks to infrastructure. The U.S. Geological Survey warns that such intense geomagnetic storms can interfere with satellite operations, GPS communications, and other critical systems.

This event follows a series of solar activities, including a severe magnetic storm in January 2025 that led to auroras being seen as far south as Mexico.