Geomagnetic storms occur when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere, creating auroras.

For the unversed, a severe geomagnetic storm occurs when the Earth's magnetic field is disturbed by magnetic field or plasma structures, such as corotating interaction regions (CIRs) and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These materials are occasionally ejected by the sun and appear to have a somewhat bubble-like structure.

Millions across the U.S. and Europe witnessed rare, colorful displays of the northern lights on Tuesday and Wednesday after three bursts of plasma from the Sun triggered a powerful geomagnetic storm.

Increased solar activity causes auroras that dance around Earth’s poles, known as the northern lights, or aurora borealis, and southern lights, or aurora australis. When the energized particles from coronal mass ejections reach Earth’s magnetic field, they interact with gases in the atmosphere to create different colored lights in the sky.

A severe (G4) geomagnetic storm impacted the planet at 8 p.m. tonight, unfortunately for Michigan, other than those south of I-94, cloud cover will hinder the view. Tomorrow may be better.

Alabamians who missed their chance to see the Northern Lights on Tuesday may get another opportunity tonight, according to forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A G4 geomagnetic storm watch,

Spectacular displays of auroras at abnormally low latitudes were expected again Wednesday night into Thursday, a result of intense solar activity which also carries risks to communication networks.

The Sun is not angry it’s just feeling extra dramatic this week,” quipped a forecaster as Earth awaits a rare G4-level geomagnetic storm. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center,