CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) – A severe geomagnetic storm could make the northern lights visible in many parts of the United States this week, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center has issued one G4 geomagnetic storm watch for Thursday, October 10th and Friday, October 11th.

G4 watches are one step below the most extreme watch. During the G4 monitoring, NOAA stated that problems with voltage regulation within the power grid were possible and that radio and satellite function could be impaired, sporadic or interrupted.

According to the observation, the storm is likely to “result in greatly increased geomagnetic activity.” Aurora Borealis, or northern lights, could be visible over much of the northern half of the United States and possibly as far south as Alabama due to geomagnetic activity.

The Northern Lights were high visible in some parts of the Carolinas in May, when a G5 storm – the highest level – struck. Then shades of blue, green and purple danced across the night sky.

Earlier this week, a WBTV viewer sent in a stunning photo of what looked like an aurora borealis in Banner Elk.

Using the G4 clock, the storm is likely to register a value of 8 or 9 on the Kp index, which measures the level of geomagnetic activity. When the Kp value is this high, the aurora becomes “very bright and very active,” according to NOAA.

NOAA said there are northern lights most visible between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. and outside city lights. Observation is also best when the moon is small. Accordingly Space.comthe moon will be about half full on Thursday evening.

Related: A severe solar storm could place even greater strain on power grids as the U.S. grapples with back-to-back major hurricanes

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