Aurora Forecast: Minor Geomagnetic Storm Expected on September 5

Date: September 5, 2025 Location: Northern Hemisphere, High and Mid Latitudes

Lead The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center forecasts a minor geomagnetic storm (G1) with a peak Kp index near 5 today, potentially lighting up aurora displays across high-latitude regions and parts of the northern United States.

Nut Graf As Earth remains under the influence of a waning coronal mass ejection and a fast solar wind stream from a coronal hole, elevated geomagnetic activity today raises chances for vivid northern lights. These conditions coincide with Solar Cycle 25’s peak, making aurora sightings more frequent and farther south than usual.

Main Part

Space Weather Conditions NOAA’s three-day outlook projects quiet to minor storm levels (Kp 2-5) for September 5, with an estimated maximum Kp of 4.67 (G1 Class) in the 3-hour period ending today. Solar wind speeds have fluctuated between 360-570 km/s due to residual CME effects and a high-speed stream arriving from coronal hole CH76+.

Aurora Visibility Forecast

  • High Latitudes: Active aurora displays likely, with 30-35% chance of moderate to severe activity visible directly overhead.
  • Mid Latitudes: Moderate aurora possible, especially in the northern U.S., with isolated minor substorms south of the typical auroral oval.
  • United Kingdom & Europe: Enhanced aurora expected late today into September 6 across northern Scotland and Scandinavia, driven by fast solar winds and CME remnants.

Three-Day Outlook

  • September 6: Elevated geomagnetic activity (G1 to isolated G2 possible) from continued fast wind influence.
  • September 7: Active conditions persist as a faint CME may arrive, potentially boosting storm levels to G2 (Kp 6).

Viewing Tips

  • Choose dark, clear nights away from city lights; negative Bz intervals improve visibility.
  • Monitor real-time KP updates via SWPC’s Aurora Dashboard or apps like My Aurora Forecast & Alerts for hour-by-hour predictions.
  • Aim skyward between 45°-90° elevation toward the magnetic north; colors range from green to pink under stronger storms.

As geomagnetic activity settles over the weekend, today’s minor storm offers a prime opportunity for skywatchers across North America and northern Europe to catch the northern lights at lower latitudes than usual.