What's Happening?

In February 2026, a minor geomagnetic storm led to a spectacular display of the aurora borealis over Iceland and Canada. The phenomenon, typically seen in March and September, was captured by the VIIRS on the Suomi NPP satellite on February 16. The satellite's day-night band, which detects nighttime light across various wavelengths, recorded the auroras in grayscale, though they appeared in vibrant colors such as green, purple, and red to observers on the ground. The auroras were visible over the Denmark Strait and Iceland at 04:45 UTC (4:45 a.m. local time in Reykjavik) and later over Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador at 06:30 UTC (1:30 a.m. local time in Montreal). According to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, the storm was classified as a G1, the lowest level on the geomagnetic storm scale.

Why It's Important?

The G1 geomagnetic storm, while minor, can cause slight disruptions such as weak power grid fluctuations and minor impacts on satellite operations. Later on February 16, the storm intensified to a G2 level, which is moderate and can extend auroral displays further south, potentially reaching areas like New York and Idaho. These storms are part of the natural space weather phenomena that can affect technological systems on Earth, highlighting the importance of monitoring and understanding these events.

What's Next?

The auroral activity was observed in the early hours of February 16, 2026, with the initial G1 storm conditions intensifying to a G2 level later that day. The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center had issued an extended warning for a geomagnetic K-index of 5, indicating the potential for increased auroral activity. Such conditions are often associated with coronal holes and high-speed solar wind streams.

Beyond the Headlines

While the geomagnetic storm was minor, individuals in affected areas should be aware of potential slight disruptions in power and satellite services. Observers in high-latitude regions are encouraged to enjoy the natural light display, but should verify with local agencies for any updates on space weather conditions.

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