Northern lights put on a show for the Tennessee Valley

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — A severe geomagnetic storm led to many across the Tennessee Valley the opportunity to view the northern lights Thursday evening.

According to the Space Weather Prediction Center, the geomagnetic storm was rated a G4 that evening.

For the area to view the northern lights the geomagnetic storm rating would need to be rated between G4 to G5 and a Kp value of 8 or 9. The Kp value is what we use to know how far south one can view the northern lights.

Above are some photos of the northern lights sent to News 19!

Friday night, a strong G3 storm is forecast to allow some across the Tennessee Valley to see the northern lights. The Kp value was an 8 Thursday night, but Friday evening will be a 7.

Friday night, while the geomagnetic storm will not be as strong as Thursday, you will still have the opportunity to see faint views of the northern lights. A strong G3 storm has led to faint hues of the lights along the horizon in the past.

Make sure to look north after sunset through early evening. To see the best viewing make sure you get away from the light pollution of the city.

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