G4 Storm Watch Could Bring Northern Lights to St. Louis Jan. 19-20

A rare G4 geomagnetic storm watch issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) raised hopes that the aurora borealis could be seen as far south as central Illinois, including the St. Louis area, during the night of Jan. 19-20. The alert followed a strong X1.95 solar flare on Jan. 18 and an expected coronal mass ejection (CME) that could produce visible auroral activity if it struck directly.

NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center released view-line maps showing portions of the Midwest that would fall within potential sighting zones should the CME impact Earth's magnetic field as forecast. Meteorologists cautioned that the timing of the CME and local cloud cover would be decisive in determining whether Morgan County residents actually saw lights in the night sky. Forecasters also emphasized the safety risk posed by dangerously low wind-chill values across the region for anyone planning to spend time outdoors looking skyward.

For Morgan County, the event was both an astronomical opportunity and a reminder of local weather realities. Clear skies and the right timing would have given observers in and around Jacksonville and other towns a chance to witness an uncommon display, but high cloud cover or late arrival of the CME would have limited visibility. County public-safety officials and weather services advised dressing for extreme cold and limiting exposure, as wind chills could pose health risks during extended outdoor viewing.

Beyond the immediate spectacle, the watch underscored how space weather can briefly bring science into everyday life for central Illinois residents. The NOAA designation of G4 signals a severe geomagnetic storm potential; experts used that framework to communicate the range of possible outcomes, from vivid auroral displays at unusually low latitudes to interference with satellites or communications in more extreme scenarios. Local utility or communications impacts were not singled out in the county advisories, but NOAA's alert prompted heightened attention among emergency managers and amateur observers alike.

As the CME moved past the planet, updates from NOAA and local meteorologists continued to refine timing and viewing prospects. Residents who went outside to look were reminded to prioritize safety: dress warmly, keep outdoor time brief, and consult the latest sky and weather reports for cloud cover and wind-chill forecasts. The episode leaves Morgan County with a recent example of how distant solar activity can produce dramatic, if fleeting, effects here at home and a reminder to stay tuned to official space-weather and local weather alerts for any future events.