NOAA Issues G1 Storm Watch for July 24 as Kp 5.33 Could Spark Northern US Aurora

Q: If the solar storm intensifies, will local light pollution still ruin this rare backyard auroral display?

Not necessarily—but light pollution can still spoil it unless the storm becomes much stronger. At the forecast level in the story, Kp 5, local skyglow remains a major problem, especially for people near cities or suburbs. A minor geomagnetic storm can make the aurora visible farther south, but at the edge of visibility it is often just a faint glow low on the northern horizon. That kind of display is easily washed out by streetlights, city glow, haze, clouds or moonlight. If the storm intensifies into G3 territory, roughly Kp 7, the auroral oval expands farther south and the lights can appear brighter, higher in the sky and easier to see. In that case, some people may still catch it from backyards, particularly in darker small towns or outer suburbs. But even then, urban light pollution can still mute colors and erase weaker detail. A strong storm helps; it does not cancel out poor local viewing conditions. The best odds remain the same: get away from city lights, find a dark north-facing spot with an open horizon, and watch between about 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Clear skies matter just as much as storm strength. Smartphone night mode or a long-exposure camera can also reveal aurora that looks faint or gray to the naked eye. So if the solar storm ramps up, light pollution may not completely ruin the show, but it can still significantly reduce what you see. Darker skies will make a rare backyard aurora far more likely and far more impressive.

3 articles · Updated · starlust.org · Jul 24

July 24 is expected to bring the peak of a G1 geomagnetic storm, with NOAA saying moderate aurora may be visible across far northern US areas including northern Michigan and Maine.
Kp is forecast to reach 5.33 through July 26 after heightened activity the previous evening, a level tied to a minor storm rather than the stronger G3-G5 events that push auroras much farther south.
Coronal mass ejections due to hit Earth on Friday are driving the event, as magnetized solar plasma interacts with Earth's magnetic field and funnels charged particles into the upper atmosphere.
NOAA also warned of operational effects: minor power-grid fluctuations and satellite impacts are possible, while solar flares carry a 55% chance of R1-R2 radio blackouts and a 10% chance of an R3 blackout.