"Record-breaking solar storm brings northern lights and blizzard warnings to Midwest"

A powerful X-class solar flare on March 22 led to a severe G4-class geomagnetic storm, the strongest since 2017, hitting Earth on March 24. Despite expectations of widespread auroras, the storm's northward magnetic field orientation limited the auroral activity, disappointing aurora chasers across Europe and North America. The orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) is crucial for auroras, with a southward orientation allowing for more dramatic displays.