On October 8, an X-class solar flare gave rise to a coronal mass ejection (CME) that erupted from the surface of the Sun, racing toward Earth at 1.5 million mph (2.4 million km/h). It arrived at Earth at 11:15 a.m. EDT Thursday. At 12:57 p.m. EDT, the U.S. Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) reported that the geomagnetic storm triggered by the CME had reached G4 status — the second highest level.
SWPC expects strong auroral shows tonight. Aurorae are expected across the northern U.S., and could be seen as far south as Alabama.
