A bucket list item checked off for many without having to travel.

Pleasant weather lasts through Monday ahead of increasing rain chances mid-week

The Northern Lights will put on a dazzling display in parts of the U.S. Thursday night

A severe geomagnetic storm was observed, meaning the aurora could be seen farther south than usual

The aurora could be seen as far south as Pennsylvania, Iowa and Oregon early Thursday

A geomagnetic storm could allow the Aurora Borealis to be seen a little farther south Monday night.

ROANOKE, Va. – A geomagnetic storm watch was issued by the Space Weather Prediction Center. Solar flare in sunspot region 2790The normal stream of charged particles from Sun to Earth is what leads to the typical sighting of the Northern Lights in high latitudes (electrically charged particles from the sun interact with the earth’s atmosphere). When these extra charged streams occur, however, the Aurora can be seen farther south into parts of the United States. It’s likely that parts of the northern U.S. will see the Aurora between Wednesday night and Thursday evening. Stay with us for updates!