BETHLEHEM, Pa. — While parts of the Lehigh Valley were able to get a glimpse of the Northern Lights over the weekend, weather conditions kept many from being able to enjoy the show.
Overall, the coronal mass ejections that arrived on Friday produced dazzling displays across the Northern Hemisphere for many areas that don’t normally see them.
In the U.S., viewings were reported as far south as Florida, Alabama and Georgia, and social media timelines were filled with photos of brilliant purple, pink, yellow and green hues.
Worldwide, there were sightings in places like Switzerland, Germany, China, Spain and England as the storm reached G5 — or “extreme” — levels, the Associated Press reported.
But late Saturday, the Lehigh Valley was cloaked with clouds and scattered showers before a solar storm peaked after 4 a.m. Sunday.
Aurora spotted in Easton, Bethlehem
Facebook users shared photos from Easton and Bethlehem around 3 a.m. Saturday morning when the Northern Lights were briefly visible.
But those who were sleeping and missed out are likely out of luck.
On Monday, forecasters said the solar storm that pushed the Northern Lights much farther south than normal was starting to wane.
Around 10:56 a.m., the Space Weather Prediction Center issued an extended warning, with a Geomagnetic K-index of 5 expected.
The index is a way to communicate to the general public the current and future space weather conditions and their possible effects on people and systems.
The latest forecast suggests much more conservative viewing limits mostly confined to the northern tier of the country.
Another round of wet weather ahead
Quiet weather today to start with another round of wet weather expected through the middle of the week. pic.twitter.com/bTf0W8EMdy
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) May 13, 2024
After a quiet start to the week, the Lehigh Valley is also looking at another round of wet weather ahead.
The National Weather Service said rainfall should return to the region Tuesday through Wednesday with between a half-inch to an inch of rain expected over 36 hours.
Wednesday looks to be a wet day, the weather service said, as the anticipated low pressure system starts to move out of the region.
“Lingering showers should continue through most of the day before drier air starts moving into the area. However, the low doesn’t move out quickly so we’ll have the potential to see showers well into the evening,” the latest forecast discussion said.
