Severe geomagnetic storm dazzles Tahoe skies with Northern Lights
LAKE TAHOE, Nev./Calif. – The internet is flooding with images of last night’s Northern Lights, visible from Lake Tahoe with the naked eye. A long exposure photo can capture even more of the aurora activity.
-
Northern Lights on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, Nov. 11-12.
Hannah Pence / Tahoe Daily Tribune
-
Northern Lights on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, Nov. 11-12.
Hannah Pence / Tahoe Daily Tribune
-
Northern Lights on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, Nov. 11-12.
Hannah Pence / Tahoe Daily Tribune
The storm was strongest between the hours of 5-10 p.m. with values between 8 and 9-minus on the Kp index, which values geomagnetic activity based on magnetometers around the world.
According to NOAA that makes it a G4 or Severe geomagnetic storm. Storms of this magnitude can be seen from northern California. Had it reached a Kp 9, it would have been considered a extreme storm, potentially visible from places as low as Florida and Southern Texas.
Geomagnetic activity is expected tonight as well, though it may be weaker.
Support Local Journalism
Support Local Journalism
Readers around the Lake Tahoe Basin and beyond make the Tahoe Tribune's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.
Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.
Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.
