Solar storm paints northern sky

Magenta-colored light was visible to the north from Carson Valley on Friday night from a solar storm that could bring auroras back tonight.

Photographers were able to capture the aurora late Friday from across Western Nevada as the storm was upgraded to extreme, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center.

“Over night, aurora were visible across much of the United States,” according to the center. “Weather permitting, they may be visible again tonight.”

Solar flares peaked at around 4:30 a.m. Saturday and the storm is expected to persist through at least Sunday.

“The threat of additional strong flares and coronal mass ejections will remain until the large and magnetically complex sunspot cluster rotates out of view over the next several days,” according to the center. “There have been reports of power grid irregularities and degradation to high-frequency communications and GPS.”

As of this morning, the active sunspot region produced two more big flares on Friday night.

“This sunspot cluster has been responsible for much of the geomagnetic storming and associated events over the past few days.”

According to the center, solar flares are powerful bursts of energy that can affect radio communications, power grids, and navigation centers.

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A severe solar storm could affect high-frequency communications, GPS, power grids and other technology, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warned on Friday.

The G4 storm is expected to arrive later today and continue through the weekend as seven coronal mass ejections are on their way toward Earth.

This is the first G4 watch issued by the Space Weather Prediction Center since 2005, with the last category G5 storm over Halloween 2003.

According to the center, the storm is the result of a complex sunspot cluster 16 times the diameter of the Earth. Additional activity is expected.

There is no indication that the storm is related to the temporary disruption in Douglas County’s nonemergency dispatch phone line that was cleared up on Friday afternoon.

“This disruption solely affects the nonemergency dispatch line and does not impact access to emergency services via 911,” county spokesman Eric Cachinero said. “In the event of an emergency, residents are urged to continue dialing 911 for immediate assistance.”

To address nonemergency concerns or inquiries during this period, individuals are encouraged to utilize alternative contact numbers provided by Douglas County. Residents may reach nonemergency dispatch by calling 775-461-6320 or 775-781-5719.