A severe geomagnetic storm watch is in effect for Washington this weekend, as NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has issued a G4 (severe) alert for late Sunday night into Monday morning, June 1–2, 2025. This escalation follows a powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) that erupted from the Sun on May 30 and is expected to make direct impact on Earth’s magnetosphere KING 5 NewsKING 5 News.
During a G4 event, geomagnetic disturbances can disrupt high-frequency radio signals, satellite operations, and even power grids, especially at higher latitudes. However, one of the most visually striking effects will be the aurora borealis extending much farther south than usual. Residents of western Washington should look for vibrant green and red hues beginning around local midnight and extending until the early pre-dawn hours, provided skies are clear KING 5 News.
Experts recommend finding a location away from urban light pollution for the best viewing experience—state parks along the Puget Sound and coastal areas north of Seattle are ideal. Swifts in visibility may occur if clouds roll in or if the CME’s magnetic orientation shifts. NOAA’s SWPC advises monitoring its website and social media channels for real-time updates and possible intensification to G5 (extreme) conditions in the event of additional solar activity.
