The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a warning for a G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm, with possible isolated G4 phases. This could make the northern lights visible across the northern United States, Canada, and parts of Germany, especially in the north and along the coasts, on the night of June 5-6.
Clear skies forecast for Friday night into Saturday boost the chances of witnessing the aurora. The spectacle was last seen in Germany in January. Numerous solar storm monitors now rate the probability as high.
Aurora borealis over a dark landscape
Geomagnetic storms are disturbances in Earth's magnetic field caused by solar activity, producing colorful bands of green, red, and violet light. In the northern hemisphere, they are called aurora borealis.
For optimal viewing, experts recommend keeping your eyes fixed north. The colors are often easier to see on a camera or mobile phone, as smartphones use night mode and longer exposure times to capture more image information than the human eye.
However, these storms carry risks. In 2022, 40 Starlink satellites burned up after being caught in a solar storm. According to DLR expert Jens Berdermann, such storms can disrupt navigation systems, power grids, and communication services, with potential indirect effects on software, stock trading, and medical devices. Such disruptions remain rare.