NOAA issues geomagnetic storm watch as CMEs head toward Earth — northern lights possible Aug. 27-28

image via Space.com

August 25, 2026, 2:50 PM

• •NOAA's SWPC issued a minor G1 geomagnetic storm watch for Aug. 27 and a moderate G2 watch for Aug. 28.
• •An M6.9 solar flare from sunspot region 4513 peaked at 6 a.m. EDT on Aug. 25.
• •The flare triggered a moderate R2 radio blackout affecting high-frequency communications over parts of Africa, Europe and the Arctic.
• •Several CMEs launched on Aug. 25 are expected to reach Earth after a coronal hole high-speed stream arrives first.
• •The strength of any resulting storm depends in part on the CMEs' arrival timing and magnetic-field orientation.

NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center issued a G1 geomagnetic storm watch for Aug. 27 and a G2 watch for Aug. 28 as solar activity heads toward Earth. The forecast follows several coronal mass ejections launched on Aug. 25 and an M6.9 solar flare from active sunspot region 4513. NOAA says a coronal hole high-speed stream could combine with the incoming CMEs to increase geomagnetic activity. If conditions align, auroras could become visible farther south across parts of the northern United States and northern Europe.

Read original article