Limited Northern Lights Visibility Expected in Several US States This Week

Contrary to recent media reports, experts say it is unlikely that the northern lights will be visible in the United States this week. While there may be a glow on the horizon in northern-tier states, the chances of seeing the aurora borealis in states like Maryland are slim. The confusion may have stemmed from a misinterpretation of aurora predictions based on a coronal hole on the sun. The accuracy of auroral activity predictions depends on the quality and amount of data analyzed, and it is challenging to forecast geomagnetic storms more than three days in advance. However, experts anticipate more significant geomagnetic storms and increased visibility of the northern lights in the next year or two as the solar cycle approaches its maximum.