Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – May 10, 2024 – An unusually strong solar storm hitting Earth could produce northern lights in the U.S. this weekend and potentially disrupt power and communications.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a rare severe geomagnetic storm warning when a solar outburst reached Earth on Friday afternoon, hours sooner than anticipated. The effects were due to last through the weekend and possibly into next week.
NOAA alerted operators of power plants and spacecraft in orbit to take precautions, as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“For most people here on planet Earth, they won’t have to do anything,” said Rob Steenburgh, a scientist with NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center.
There were reports that the Northern Lights are visible in Northeast Arkansas. Misty Carr, Paragould, took the above picture and said “Never thought I’d see the Northern Lights from my backyard in Paragould, AR! Beautiful!!”
Stephanie Benish, Brookland, posted the above picture on Facebook and wrote “Wow! I’ve never been able to see the Northern lights before!”
“Northern lights this far south … Don’t remember it during my lifetime!” said Bob Troutt, Jonesboro, whose family owned the Jonesboro Sun for many years wrote on his Facebook post.
The photos below were taken on Friday night around 9:40pm by Editor-in-Chief Rachel Anderson just south of Jonesboro near the Poinsett County line. NASA said the peak of the solar storm should occur between midnight and 3 a.m. Saturday morning.
