Update 12/31/15 4:45pm: Follow the latest by clicking here.
Update 12/30/15 9:50pm: The elements needed for the much anticipated big show are not aligning as hoped. The impact of the CME (solar flare) has been called “weak” and the solar wind is not as high as would be liked. These items combined with some other space weather technical mumbo-jumbo is leading those who are anxiously awaiting a reason to look to the NNE to lose hope.
Update 12/30/15 7:45pm: According to people who monitor such things,
an interplanetary shock front swept past Earth just before 01:00 UTC (Dec 31) [that would be 5pm Pacific Time today]. Magnetometers around the world detected a geomagnetic sudden impulse marking the exact moment a sector of the CME from December 28th reached our planet.
– SolarhamAdvertisementClick for more information
AdvertisementClick for more information
There are many variables in play that will decide if this solar flare enables viewing the Aurora from Ferndale and when. Some watchers have already begun heading out to take up positions away from city lights and others are planning on waiting until 4am. In short, no one knows for certain yet.
Update 12/30/15 7:30am: While this morning’s viewing appeared to fail to meet expectations, the NOAA long-term forecast still holds some hope for tomorrow morning after 1am, perhaps closer to 4am. Keep your eyes to the north during that time if sleep is an option for you.
It’s remains a good idea to monitor NOAA’s 30-minute Aurora Forecast before heading outside to ensure the odds are in your favor.
Click for more informationClick for more information
Original Story:
The forecast is for clear skies for several days beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, December 30th. The timing could not be better as a recent solar flare is expected to enable Ferndale neighbors an opportunity to view the Aurora Borealis (aka Northern Lights).
Nearly a week of clear skies, 0% probability of rain and light winds is a welcome break from heavy rains and regular wind advisories. Coinciding with this calm weather is a geomagnetic storm expected to hit Earth Wednesday. Geomagnetic storms can cause the Aurora Borealis to expand further away from the Earth’s North Pole enabling those in the lower latitudes a chance to view it.
This forecast moderate geomagnetic storm is the result of the arrival of the solar energetic particles created by a solar flare ejected from a sunspot aimed at the Earth yesterday.
Click for more information
Click for more informationThe Aurora forecast as of 6am today indicates the best time to see the Aurora Borealis will be Wednesday from 5am until after sunrise and possibly again from 2am to 5am Thursday morning. With a late sunrise (~8am) combined with the forecast clear skies there is a better than average opportunity Wednesday morning.
You can monitor the approach of the Aurora and anticipate when it might be visible using the real-time graphics provided on NOAA’s 30-minute Aurora Forecast page.