Residents of Russia’s northern and northwestern regions will have the opportunity to witness the enchanting Northern Lights on the night of April 2nd to 3rd. According to the Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Space Research Institute (IKI) of the Russian Academy of Sciences, there isn’t yet enough power for the auroral oval to significantly descend into mid-latitudes.
The highest probabilities of observing this breathtaking celestial phenomenon are expected in Murmansk (95% chance) and Arkhangelsk (64%). For residents of St. Petersburg, the probability is approximately 20%, while for Moscow, it’s around 7%. This information was shared via the laboratory’s Telegram channel.
Specialists also warn about an intensifying magnetic storm, which is currently approaching G2 level. Previously, on the night of March 20th to 21st, following the arrival of solar plasma, Earth experienced the strongest magnetic storm since late January of this year, reaching a G3 level. At that time, the center of the most intense auroral display shifted towards Europe.
It’s worth noting that on March 16th, the Institute of Applied Geophysics (FGBU “IPG”) recorded an M2.8 class solar flare. Scientists remind us that such flares can be accompanied by ejections of solar plasma which, upon reaching Earth, can trigger geomagnetic disturbances and, consequently, magnetic storms.
