Strong geomagnetic storm may light up skies over Missouri and northern Arkansas
A G4 (Severe) geomagnetic storm is forecast for Sunday night, June 1, continuing into the early hours of Monday, June 2. The storm, sparked by a powerful solar flare that erupted on May 30–31, could send the northern lights as far south as Missouri and the northern Ozarks, with a slim chance of visibility even across northern Arkansas.
What is a G4 geomagnetic storm?
A G4 storm ranks high on the five-point geomagnetic scale, just below the extreme G5 level. It results from solar activity—especially coronal mass ejections (CMEs)—that send charged particles racing toward Earth, disturbing the planet’s magnetic field. When these particles interact with Earth’s atmosphere, they produce the phenomenon known as the aurora borealis or northern lights.
Best viewing conditions and timing
According to meteorologist Christopher Pipkin, the best chance to witness the auroras will be between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., looking northward, and ideally from rural, dark-sky areas far from city lights. The aurora, if visible this far south, would likely appear as a faint green or red glow low on the horizon—not the brilliant curtains of light seen in Alaska or Canada.
Visibility risks: haze and wildfire smoke
While excitement is building, visibility could be dampened by smoke from wildfires in Canada, which may drift into parts of the Midwest and South, including Arkansas. The hazy skies could diffuse or obscure the auroral display, reducing your chances of spotting the spectacle.
Comparison with May 2024 event
This storm, while notable, won’t quite reach the level of the May 2024 G5 event, which delivered jaw-dropping auroras visible as far south as Florida and even northern Mexico. Still, it represents one of the most powerful geomagnetic events of 2025 so far, and it has meteorologists and skywatchers alike watching the skies with anticipation.
Stay tuned for updates as we move through the evening of June 1 and into the early hours of June 2, especially across Missouri, northern Arkansas, and the Ozarks.
