Because of a geomagnetic storm, Northern Lights were seen in Central Virginia

Colorful SkyPhoto byDCNewsNow Screenshot

According to WRIC 8 News, the Northern Lights could be seen in the skies in Central Virginia on Thursday, October 10, 2024. Viewers took beautiful photos and sent them to the television station. The last time this happened in Virginia was on May 11, 2024, because of a geomagnetic storm when the sky showed blue, green, pink, purple, and yellow hues.

Shawn Dahl, the Space Weather Prediction Center service coordinator, said the Northern Lights illuminated the skies in Virginia this week because of a severe geomagnetic storm.

Some people associate the beautiful colorful skies in Virginia with the hurricanes in Florida. However, the geomagnetic storm had nothing to do with Hurricanes Helene or Milton.

For more information, visit https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/.

Images in Virginia this week

Virginians captured photos of the changing sky this week and posted them on social media.

• October 8: Northern Virginia
• October 7: Shenandoah Valley
• October 6: Virginia
• October 6: Elkton
• October 6: Botetourt County