Will Tonight's Northern Lights Be Seen in Alabama? What the Forecast Indicates
However, that hope seems to be waning as of Sunday morning.At some point between Sunday evening and June 2, the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) predicted that the aurora borealis might be visible as far south as Alabama. The brilliant auroras are expected to remain well to the north, dancing across skies in regions that are significantly colder and more aurora-prone than the Deep South, according to updated models that were released around midday on Sunday.
@ClaudiasWorkshop 
Nevertheless, the space weather phenomenon that is causing all of this excitement is quite amazing. As of Sunday, there was a "severe" G4 geomagnetic storm that might last till Monday. To put things in perspective, the storm scale of the SWPC ranges from G1 (small) to G5 (severe). Though not nearly as powerful as the epic May 2024 G5 storm that drove the Northern Lights as far south as Florida, this one is still strong enough to break records.
So, what is a geomagnetic storm exactly?
Fundamentally, a geomagnetic storm is a coronal mass ejection, or rush of charged particles launched toward Earth by solar activity. A ripple of magnetic turbulence created when those particles collide with the Earth's magnetic field can illuminate the sky and cause severe disruptions to technology.
We are talking about radio blackouts, shaky GPS signals, satellite issues, and in the worst situations, electrical grid outages. The aurora borealis, which streak the sky with waves of shimmering green, pink, and violet, is nature's bright spot amidst all that mayhem.
Is There Any Chance for Alabama to Win?
Given how erratic space weather is, we should not completely discount it out. When solar winds are flowing across 93 million miles, forecasts can change surprisingly quickly. However, Alabama's chances are currently not favorable.
According to most projections, the aurora will not travel far enough south to cover the entire state in a dazzling display of color. Images from states with a lot of auroras, such as Montana, Wisconsin, or even portions of Kansas and Missouri, may be better scanned online for those hoping to get a look.
May's Memory
The excitement this time around is partly being fueled by the recollection of May 2024, when a G5 storm illuminated the skies in a manner that many Americans had never seen before. Floridians witnessed the aurora firsthand. On the highway, Texans stopped to snap photos. While streamers of light flowed throughout the night, people in Alabama stood slack-jawed in their driveways.
Could it occur once more? Absolutely. A particularly energetic period of the sun's 11-year solar cycle is currently underway. Therefore, even if there might not be any auroras tonight, there is still a good probability that more will rush south, perhaps much more boldly and brightly than previously.
Until then...
Take heart if you are in Alabama and feeling let down. You still have a chance even though the sky will not sparkle tonight. If you pay attention to future space weather alerts, you will know to grab a blanket, a cup of something warm, and a glance up in case the universe decides to put on a show when the next solar storm hits Earth.
