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The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, have been visible in parts of South Jersey, providing a rare spectacle for residents. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a severe G4 geomagnetic storm alert, predicting that the lights could be seen as far south as Alabama and northern California. This unusual visibility is due to a powerful solar eruption that sent a massive cloud of plasma toward Earth.
According to NJ.com, the storm, generated by sunspot region 4274, ranks as the sixth strongest flare recorded in the current solar cycle. The resulting geomagnetic storm has allowed the auroras to be seen much farther south than usual. Photos of the colorful skies from Cape May to Bay Head have flooded social media, capturing the stunning display.
The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center has been issuing alerts about the potential effects of the coronal mass ejections (CME) from the sun, which could impact infrastructure technology and cause satellite disruptions. The current watch list from NOAA includes a G4 severe storm alert for Wednesday (November 12) and a G3 strong storm alert for Thursday (November 13).
Yahoo News reports that residents in other states, including Nevada and Arkansas, as well as European countries like France and Switzerland, might also witness the Northern Lights. As the geomagnetic storm continues, people across these regions are advised to look out for the auroras lighting up the night sky.