Northern Lights May Be Visible In Pennsylvania Thursday Night

PENNSYLVANIA — A geomagnetic storm could make the Northern Lights visible as far south as Pennsylvania on Thursday night, forecasters predict.

The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center said a geomagnetic storm watch is in place through Friday.

The geomagnetic storm was expected to arrive late Wednesday, initially resulting in minor storm levels, forecasters say. But activity was expected to increase, especially if the magnetic field connects well with Earth's magnetosphere, the NOAA said.

"Therefore, the potential for strong storm levels exists," according to a bulletin from the agency.

According to the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, this is one of the first coronal mass ejections of the newest solar cycle – "the biggest so far and aimed right at Earth. This means you may not need to stay up so late to see some aurora!"

The question is, will the local weather cooperate? The current forecast in the Philadelphia region calls for clear skies on Thursday. Temperatures will be in the low 30s.

Here's more from the NOAA: