In Jacksonville, Florida, the Space Weather Prediction Center has announced that a solar storm is en route to Earth. This phenomenon is expected to generate auroras, commonly known as the northern lights, visible in certain parts of the U.S. and Canada. Enthusiastic weather observers already began capturing images of these dazzling displays on Tuesday night.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center has placed a Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watch in effect for Wednesday, November 12. This follows a series of significant solar eruptions observed over recent days.

These geomagnetic storms originate from coronal mass ejections, which are powerful releases of plasma and magnetic energy from the sun. These have been directed toward Earth since last Friday, with the most recent eruption tied to a potent X-class solar flare, one of the most intense categories emitted by the sun.

Wondering who will have a chance to witness this spectacular event? 

If the impact is strong enough, it could cause a colorful aurora display across much of Canada and parts of the northern U.S., especially the Great Lakes, upper Midwest, and Northeast on Tuesday and Wednesday night.

Residents farther south, including on the First Coast, are less likely to see the lights, but it is still possible. The best chance to view the aurora will come under clear, dark skies away from city lights, looking toward the northern horizon. 

Here are some images from Tuesday night on the First Coast. 

In May of 2024, an intense solar storm created Auroras around the world, including the First Coast. Those images were shared via our weather watchers below.