Heads up: Geomagnetic Storm Watch for 16-17 July (Northern Lights!)
On July 14th, a long-lasting M2 coronal mass ejection took place with an earthward component:
When this cloud of magnetically-charged particles reaches Earth on July 16 (late in the day UTC), it should kick off a pretty strong geomagnetic storm. I wouldn't worry about the risks of satellite failures and the electric power grid overloading (like news media loves to report). However, it could be a great opportunity to see the Northern (and Southern) Lights for latitudes where they are rare. It all depends on how the earth's magnetic field reacts to the solar wind.
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/news/g2-moderate-geomagnetic-storm-watch-issued-valid-16-17-jul-2017
Keep an eye on Spaceweather.com for more details.
wow... is this for real!! exciting! Thanks for sharing!
Yep. The CME part isn't too rare, but often they are off to the side of the Sun, so the cloud doesn't impact Earth. Then other times, the cloud doesn't have the right stuff in it to cause much impact to the Earth's magnetic field. But, then there are the rare times when everything happens just right, and the Northern Lights can be seen as far South as Arizona (in the USA, of course... check your local listings).
If NOAA's prediction is correct, then you may see them in Pennsylvania, Ohio, etc... Which are northern states, sure, but rarely get to see the auroras.
I am in one of the lucky states you listed and am excited going to see it!! Thank you for your insight on this.