MID LATITUDE AURORA ALERT

[WXBUFFJIM]

Just checked and there's no auroras yet, but signs are pinpointing a minor geomagnetic storm, which could potentially intensify in very short order as perhaps the leading edge of this upcoming coronal mass ejection heads our way and meets with the planets magnetic field.

The next several hours are critical and everyone at high and mid latitudes should remain alert for auroras all evening and into the overnight as well. Just as we saw last night, this thing could pop up in a big hurry and will need to monitor this very closely.

Also keep an eye on the eastern sky at dawn Tuesday morning as the crescent moon will make it's closest approach to the planet Jupiter. This combined with the fact Venus will be nearby will make for one heck of a show if skies remain clear in your area.

Jim

[Stormsfury]

Jim, wait until about 10 minutes AFTER I go to sleep, b/c this happened to me last night, and according to several people I talked to, the auroras were quite visible down here, and a pretty decent one considering I'm located at 33ºN ...

SF

[Stephanie]

I was just outside about 45 minutes ago and as Jim confirmed, I didn't see anything. I hope that I'm not in bed either when they start to glow!

[Tornado_Chaser2005]

No auroras yet down in Southern California. It was cloudy last night, might be again tonight. Hope they will clear out. Do you think will see it down here?

[Tornado_Chaser2005]

http://www.sec.noaa.gov/rt_plots/kp_3d.html

Keep an eye on the link above. this will tell you when the auroras are picking up or subsiding. they look to be picking up again!

[Aslkahuna]

My latest check showed the 3hr ap/K values were 80/6- enough for the northern tier of States to see some aurbo but not enough yet for us down here. Haven't seen the big hiccup in the GOES Hp data that would indicate the shock impact and magnetopause crossing that marks the onset of a big storm.

Steve

[Tornado_Chaser2005]

Its rising, so does that mean it will still keep rising, and more auroras would be visible. By the way, can you link me to the 3hr ap/K value numbers?
Thanks!

Tornado Chaser

[WXBUFFJIM]

Morning folks. A brrrr morning this morning here in Maryland. Winds were generally speaking light here last night and thus we managed to dip close to freezing. If I read it right, it was 33 degrees early this morning here near the bay with sub freezing temps inland from the water. It should be even colder tomorrow am with the 3 C's, clear skies, cold temps, and calm winds. The freeze is complete north and west of Baltimore/Washington and out on the eastern shore of Maryland also. Freeze warnings are up tonight for eastern and southeast Virginia except the tidewater area, St Mary's County, MD, Baltimore City, Southern Baltimore County, and Washington DC. With calm winds, I suspect a perfect radiational cooling night with temps possibly dropping into the 20s area wide, maybe 30 here.

As for geomagnetic activity, it's just started back up again recently courtesy of a coronal mass ejection impacting Earth's magnetic field. The question is will this be another long period type of event like we saw the other night?? Only time will tell. But I imagine if we do see auroras tonight, the best time will be after dark up until about midnight if this geomagnetic storm does indeed remain strong to extreme. We would really need an extreme event to see northern lights this far south. What I saw the other night including everyone else in this country I can only imagine was a bit of a shocker. Many people stated this was the best event they ever witnessed and you know what, I agree with them, it was the best event. The duration of it also needs to be factored into the equation given the fact one display alone lasted for over 75 minutes from 10:45 PM-12 AM. I can go on and on about this one display alone given how gorgeous it was. But to make a long story short, it was worth every minute watching it. Granted it may have been alot better watching it if I were say in Rochester, New York or Madison, Wisconsin. But still to see auroras down this way is quite a statement.

So will see what happens tonite in several fronts...
A. the sub freezing cold, could it get below 30 degrees here near the Chesapeake Bay.
B. the geomagnetic storm, will it be ongoing through midnight eastern time. Well see.

[tronbunny]

As for the auroras..
I'm with Terry..jealous.
I have seen them here twice, wish I could remember when..want to say 1981-1982 and the 2nd just couldn't tell you.
Keep us posted!

[PurdueWx80]

Here comes another one!!

[Gorky]

A local megnetometer is picking up evidence of an aurora Borealis in effect here in my neck of the woods of the UK, but as always, I'm covered by cloud at the moment Was the same last night, and every aurora borealis event I've attempted to watch so far. I desperately want to see this phenomena for myself but I guess I'm out of luck for the time being :/ It's a real shame as the forest just outside of town here are free from light pollution, and you can see the most wonderful skies on a clear night... Seeing those skies with an aurora in effect must be absolutely beautiful. I can but hope for the future

Here's a link to the data showing what I missed out on last night :/

http://www.dcs.lancs.ac.uk/iono/auroraw ... _activity/

[alicia-w]

good photos available on the Washington Post website.

[Aslkahuna]

Unfortunately, after hitting K=8, the Bz has shifted sharply northward which could severely reduce the chances for a big aurbo from this shock impact unless we get it to swing back. We will be monitoring the activity through the evening.

Steve