Will aurora borealis be visible in Texas? Where to see Northern Lights
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A rare geomagnetic storm may bring Northern Lights to parts of Texas. See where

The aurora borealis may be viewable to the naked eye in the northern Panhandle and Amarillo. Cities around Lubbock and Dallas may see the Northern Lights with a good camera in a low-light setting.

Brandi D. Addison
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Skywatchers get ready: Thanks to heightened solar activity, the aurora borealis could be coming to the skies above parts of Texas this weekend, space weather forecasters said Thursday.

A rare severe geomagnetic storm will trigger auroras, making it possible for some Texans in the northernmost parts of the state to view the spectacle with the naked eye. Federal forecasters from NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center said that during previous solar activity of this magnitude, the "aurora has been seen as low as Alabama and northern California." The aurora could be visible on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings.

Previously forecast as a G2, or moderate, geomagnetic storm, this weekend's event has upgraded to G4, or severe. This is the first time that a geomagnetic storm has rated a magnitude of G4 since 2005, according to USA TODAY.

Will the geomagnetic storm impact us in Texas?

There are now at least four storm clouds heading our way, according to astronomer Tony Phillips, who detailed the storm's activity on SpaceWeather.com. This could disrupt radio communications and harm satellites – and possibly knock out power systems, according to USA TODAY.

Where in Texas can you view the Northern Lights?

This weekend, residents in the northernmost parts of Texas, including Amarillo and cities north, can possibly view the Northern Lights with the naked eye. Texans on the South Plains, including Lubbock and surrounding regions, as well as cities north of Dallas-Fort Worth, may capture the aurora borealis with a good camera in low-light conditions.

An image created by NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center shows the likely extent of the aurora borealis appearing in the United States on May 10, 2024.

Tips for viewing the Northern Lights

"Go out at night," NOAA said. "And get away from city lights."

The best aurora is usually within an hour or two of midnight (between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. local time). These hours expand towards evening and morning as the level of geomagnetic activity increases.