Severe geomagnetic storm could send northern lights into Michigan Wednesday night
A Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) is anticipated to partially impact Earth on Wednesday.
This would result in a potential aurora show for parts of the United States Wednesday night, following up on a light show seen Tuesday night.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a Geomagnetic Storm Watch. Effects are dependent on the orientation of the embedded magnetic field of the CME and detrimental impacts to critical infrastructure technology are possible.
The intensity of the CME will not be known until it arrives 1 million miles from Earth and is observed by the solar wind observatories at that location. At that time, any needed warning decisions can be made by SWPC forecasters.
But given the forecast, aurora may become visible over much of the northern half of the country. CBS Detroit meteorologist Karen Carter said the best time to look in southeast Michigan Wednesday will be in the hours after sunset.
Some people across the country, including in southeast Michigan, got a sneak peek of the aurora Tuesday night, depending on when and where clouds thinned out enough for a view. The sightings were reported in 21 states, as far south as southern Alabama.
DTE Energy issued the following statement on Tuesday:
"DTE is the largest energy producer in the state of Michigan and can reliably generate the electricity needed to serve all its customers. DTE is aware of the potential geomagnetic disturbance for Wednesday, Nov. 12. We are closely monitoring equipment and communication systems to ensure the reliability of the electric system. DTE has staff and processes in place to address any issues, however unlikely."
In May 2024, a G5 extreme geomagnetic storm prompted DTE to pause non-essential maintenance and testing. That storm was the strongest geomagnetic storm in over 20 years to hit Earth. Another solar storm appeared in October 2024.