Solar Storm Makes Northern Lights Visible

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a rare G4 storm watch Friday after several days of solar activity sent explosions of plasma and magnetic fields toward Earth. See storm images here.

According to NOAA, G4s are the second-strongest form of geomagnetic storms and could disrupt the electric power grid, navigation, radio, communications, and satellite operations. Transmission lines, railroad tracks, and pipelines are also vulnerable to the storm.

The geomagnetic storm could also enhance the aurora borealis, making the Northern Lights visible from northern California to southern Alabama.