"Triggered by an intense geomagnetic storm, the northern lights made a rare visit to the Southland on Tuesday night, painting the skies above the Angeles National Forest in dazzling pink and purple hues. Although the aurora borealis is typically confined to the northern polar region, Tuesday's light show could be seen in many parts of the continental United States as a burst of solar energy collided with Earth's magnetic field, sending supercharged particles cascading through the atmosphere."
""We've been talking to some state watch centers, FEMA, even the highest levels of our government at the White House, to inform them about this type of activity," said Sean Dahl, a space weather forecaster at the center in a video on X. "Because these can impact the electric power grid of our country - the bulk electric system - and even satellite operations and communications.""
A powerful G4 geomagnetic storm sent supercharged solar particles into Earth's atmosphere, producing auroras as far south as Southern California and Florida. The aurora painted skies over the Angeles National Forest, Joshua Tree and high desert areas in pink and purple hues, and appeared across much of the continental United States. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center reported severe geomagnetic storm levels and warned of potential interference with GPS, satellite operations and electrical systems. Heavy light pollution in Los Angeles prevented most city residents from seeing the display. Officials coordinated with state watch centers, FEMA and federal agencies to monitor risks to the bulk electric grid.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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