Vague Chances of Aurora Borealis Tonight, But Look Up at Oregon / Washington Coast, Portland, Tacoma, etc

Published 8/04/24 at 6:57 p.m.
By Andre' GW Hagestedt, Oregon Coast Beach Connection

(Portland, Oregon) – Conditions and astronomers have been making it the talk of the towns (around the world), and one questions keeps coming up, says OMSI astronomy expert Jim Todd. Will we see Northern Lights in the Portland / Oregon / Washington region? (Aurora Borealis in Bandon, courtesy Manuela Durson - see Manuela Durson Fine Arts)

It does not look like it, anymore. Though that could still change, and you should at least take a gander at the skies tonight. Indeed, the possibilities last through Monday night. As of 6 p.m. on August 4, the chances are dimming for the Oregon coast, Washington coast, Seattle, Portland or Eugene.

“Based on the latest data, storms may have passed and will either be weak or unsettling for tonight,” Todd told Oregon Coast Beach Connection earlier on Sunday.

The 30-minute aurora forecast from National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is showing a less likely scenario.

All this comes from some massive solar activity on the sun on August 1, which had at one point created a category G3 storm as Earth traveled through the magnetized wake of the CME.

Seaside Aquarium photo

“IF THESE conditions persist, auroras may be visible at mid-latitudes in Europe and the USA during the night of Aug. 4-5,” Todd said.

Last night, folks in Colorado got an eyeful, with some exceptional photos of the aurora borealis coming out of that area. Some good captures came out of the Columbia Gorge in the last two days as well.

Earlier on Sunday Todd told Oregon Coast Beach Connection:

“Latest update from NOAA, the Bz component of the interplantary magnetic field (IMF) has been pointing south for the past several hours. Strong (G3) geomagnetic storming is being observed. This is likely the result of an expected CME passing just upstream of Earth. Not the best timing for aurora watchers in North America, but viewers in Europe should be alert later once it is dark outside.”

See Washington Coast Weather - Oregon Coast Weather

Todd said chances for seeing the aurora borealis in Oregon (mid latitude) are low – at 35% for 24 to 48 hours.

“The weather forecast for the Willamette Valley is favorable with mostly clear hazy skies during the night,” Todd said. “The new moon will be a nonfactor. Check the predictions before heading out. In the last image below, the yellow shaded areas is ‘quiet’ as a slight chance for Oregon. The best opportunity will be when KP+7 be best viewing. It appears weakening or unsettling for tonight.” See the forecast link

However, now the storm levels have been fluctuating down to a category G1 (minor storm).

That is the crux of it: chances are dimming greatly for areas like Tacoma, Yakima, Newport, Westport. Oceanside, Manzanita or certainly down south in Coos Bay or Port Orford.

AURORA ADVICE: Still, if you're out there tonight in a rather lightless environment, it's a good idea to look up. For those with the right camera gear or a cell device that takes night shots well, snap a few shots (use a tripod). You may see what the human eye cannot see.

There's a lot more activity in the wings, though. Scientists are noting yet another new sunspot is building in one area just today.

“NOAA reported the monthly sunspot number just hit a 23-year high,” Todd said. “The last time sunspots were this numerous, the sun was on the verge of unleashing the Great Halloween Storms, which included the strongest X-ray solar flare ever recorded (X45) and a CME so powerful it was detected by the Voyager spacecraft at the edge of the solar system.” MORE AURORA PHOTOS BELOW:

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MORE PHOTOS BELOW

courtesy Manuela Durson - see Manuela Durson Fine Arts


courtesy Manuela Durson - see Manuela Durson Fine Arts

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Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

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