January 23, 2012
The impact of the largest solar storm in almost seven years is expected to hit Earth Jan. 24 and could cause slight disruptions in Global Positioning System signals and the electric grid. And at high latitudes, it could make for some brilliant Northern Lights.
Charged particles from the sun are expected toÂ peak about 9 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, according to The National Weather Serviceâ€™s Space Weather Prediction Center.
The latest burst follows one over the weekend that resulted in Northern Lights being seen in Canada, Northern England and other places. In the United States Tuesday night, it’s possible the aurora could be seen as far south as the latitudes spanning New England to Oregon.