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. The storm could produce northern lights as far south in the U.S. as Alabama and Northern California, according to NOAA. Experts stressed that the auroras may not be as dramatic as the usual curtains of color but more like splashes of greenish hues.
