Earth-Directed Solar Storms Head Our Way: What to Know About This Week’s CMEs, Auroras, and the Moon’s Role
By Steve Hammer | April 14, 2025
This week, space weather watchers are keeping their eyes on the sun—and the sky. Two Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are expected to impact our planet around Wednesday, April 16, bringing the potential for geomagnetic storms and auroras—possibly visible even at mid-latitudes.
Over the weekend, two large filament eruptions on the sun launched CMEs—massive clouds of charged solar particles—directly toward Earth. These events originated from a region of increased activity known as sunspot AR4055, which has recently produced multiple M-class solar flares.
According to forecasts from the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, the CMEs are expected to arrive midday on Wednesday, April 16, and may trigger G1 to G2-level geomagnetic storms, with a slight chance of reaching G3 (strong) conditions. That means the potential for auroras increases—but so does the risk of minor disruptions to satellites and power grids at high latitudes.
For skywatchers in Lynchburg, Virginia, and surrounding areas, this solar activity brings hope of seeing the aurora borealis—also known as the northern lights. Normally visible only in polar regions, strong geomagnetic storms can push the aurora much farther south.
However, visibility depends on several factors:
Strength of the geomagnetic storm
Sky clarity and light pollution
Direction of your view (north is best)
And importantly—the moon.
Unfortunately for those hoping for a dazzling light show, this week’s aurora forecast runs into a challenge: the full moon.
The April full moon, also known as the Pink Moon, occurs on Tuesday, April 15—just one day before the CMEs are expected to hit Earth. That means bright moonlight will dominate the sky, making it more difficult to see faint auroral displays.
If the storm is strong enough (G3+), it's still possible to see bright green or red auroras even under moonlight—but anything fainter may be washed out. The full moon will rise around 7:40 p.m. local time in Virginia, so your best chance might be right after sunset or very early in the morning before dawn.
The weather forecast for much of Virginia on Wednesday, April 16, is favorable: mostly clear skies with temperatures in the low 60s during the day and 30s overnight. That’s great news for skywatchers—as long as you're dressed warmly and prepared to stay out late!
Even if you can’t see the aurora with your eyes, your camera might. Here are a few quick tips:
Use a DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual settings.
Mount it on a tripod and use a long exposure time (5–15 seconds).
Point north, and take test shots every few minutes.
Look for faint green or red glows low on the horizon.
You can keep up with the latest solar storm forecasts using these tools:
NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center
Aurora Alerts
[Aurora Forecast App (iOS/Android)] – real-time KP index updates and maps
In Summary:
Two CMEs are heading toward Earth with arrival expected on April 16, potentially bringing geomagnetic storms and a chance to see the aurora even in Virginia. However, a bright full moon may interfere with visibility. Still, if skies are clear and the storm is strong, it could be worth stepping outside after dark for a look—especially with a camera.
Don't forget to look up—space weather is real weather too.