The Northern Lights could be visible again tonight in Colorado and there will be rain in the Denver Metro area for the rest of the week, as per the National Weather Service.
If another burst of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun, known as a coronal mass ejection, happens as expected tonight, the Northern Lights might be visible again in Colorado on Sunday, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration official Shawn Dahl.
The NOAA issued a severe G4 geomagnetic storm watch for the first time since 2005 on Thursday. The geomagnetic storm intensified the aurora borealis, creating a light show visible across much of the world in a rare global phenomenon on Friday. Although geomagnetic activity has slowed, the G4 watch remains in effect on Sunday. “Conditions at the spacecraft that we monitored for them have calmed down significantly, but space is still disturbed and enhanced,” Dahl said. “It won’t take much of anything for activity to spin back up.”
The expected CME is indirect and is unlikely to result in another light show on Monday night, according to Dahl. In the meantime, the NOAA recommends that Coloradans watch for CME updates on their website.
Who saw the aurora borealis last night? Some of our deputies were lucky enough to see the light show while on patrol last night. We are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful place. Show us your aurora borealis photos. pic.twitter.com/QMB3IEmJtt
— BoulderCountySheriff (@BldrCOSheriff) May 11, 2024
Even if the CME occurs, the aurora borealis may be hidden by clouds tonight as rain moves through the Denver Metro area Sunday. Showers and thunderstorms are possible through this afternoon with a 70% chance of precipitation and a high of 65 degrees. Rain may continue tonight with a 30% chance of precipitation, mainly before 7 p.m. Tonight will hit a low of 45 degrees and gusts up to 22 mph may clear cloud coverage. Rainy weather will likely continue for most of the week with a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon on Monday and a high of 75 degrees. There is a 10% chance of precipitation before midnight Monday with a low of 48 degrees, according to NWS forecasters..
Showers and thunderstorms may happen again after noon on Tuesday and continue into Tuesday night with a 40% chance of precipitation and a low of 48 degrees.
According to the NWS, rain and thunderstorms may persist for the Denver Metro area throughout the week and into the weekend.
The Northern Lights may be visible again in Colorado if another coronal mass ejection occurs this evening.
Rain and thunderstorms may continue for the Denver Metro area throughout the week and into the weekend, according to the NWS.
