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Geomagnetic storm watch issued after strong solar flare
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Geomagnetic storm watch issued after strong solar flare

Those in the northern tier could face a Northern Lights show Sunday and Monday evening after charged particles were sent from the Sun towards the Earth in association with a strong solar flare.

NOAA Space Weather The Forecast Center (SWPC) said another strong X-ray flare occurred on Saturday, originating from near the sunspot regions known as 3872 and 3873. This is the second flare of class X since Thursday, when an X3.3 flare occurred from another region of the Sun. On Sunday, the SWPC published a Geomagnetic storm monitoring after satellites detected coronal mass ejection particles heading toward Earth.

The SWPC evaluates solar storms on a basis five-level ladderfive being the most extreme and rarest space weather terms. Moderate geomagnetic storms, level 2 out of 5, are possible on Monday.

SEE MORE: EXTREME GEOMAGNETIC STORM Triggers Breathtaking AURORA AROUND THE WORLD

When the Sun emits solar flares, solar phenomena called coronal mass ejections send charged particles toward Earth. When these particles interact with the Earth’s magnetic field, we can observe aurora borealis, known as the Northern Lights.

Northern lights seen from Lindenhurst, New York, on October 10, 2024, during a severe geomagnetic storm. (Seth darling)

Moderate geomagnetic storms are common and likely won’t produce anything like what we saw earlier this month when severe storm created northern lights displays as far south as mid-Atlantic. However, if weather conditions permit, those of Northeast towards the Pacific Northwest was able to see beautiful displays of the Northern Lights.

Aurora viewing forecast for Monday evening, when geomagnetic storm G2 is forecast. (FOX Weather)

The latest geomagnetic storm monitoring comes after NOAA and NASA revealed that the Sun had reached its solar maximuma period of peak sunspot activity during its 11-year cycle. However, space weather experts say the peak activity is expected to continue until 2025.

LINK: Get updates on this story and more at foxweather.com.