The NOAA has issued a warning for a moderate geomagnetic storm, G2 on the NOAA scale, on April 30, 2011 (Universal Time or GMT date) from 1500 UTC (coordinated universal time) to 2100 UTC ( 11am to 5pm Eastern daylight time). A solar wind stream colliding with Earth's magnetic field triggered this storm, which is slowly subsiding.
Geomagnetic storms often produce aurora borealis or northern lights displays. The stronger the geomagnetic storm, the further south northern lights might be visible. Moderate geomagnetic storm levels can produce aurora displays in North America at latitudes as far south as Idaho or New York. Before dawn on the morning of April 30, aurora were reported in Michigan.
The geomagnetic storm is slowly subsiding, but sky watchers in the northern US and Canada having clear skies have a good possibility of observing northern lights after dark on the evening of April 30. The waning crescent Moon will not be up in the early part of the night to interfere with any possible aurora displays.
If you live in the northern US or Canada and it is clear, go outside tonight to a dark location with a good northern horizon. Look for glowing shimmering colored lights above the northern horizon.
Good Luck.
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