Idaho
Northern Lights Alert: New York To Idaho May See Aurora On Wednesday
The northern lights fill the sky with green ribbons of electrical charged particles over the barn … [+]
The Northern Lights—also known as the aurora borealis—may become visible in the early hours of Wednesday in northern U.S. states as the after-effects of a “halo CME” arrive at Earth.
The fabulous natural phenomenon results from the solar wind, charged particles from the sun accelerating down the magnetic field lines at the north and south poles into Earth’s atmosphere.
‘Halo CME’
Experts modeling the solar wind sounded the alarm Monday after multiple separate coronal mass ejections left the sun on July 21, all aimed toward Earth, creating a rare “halo CME.” A CME is a cloud of magnetic fields and charged particles from the sun that stream into space at up to 1,900 miles (3,000 kilometers) per second. They can take a few days to reach Earth (if they’re Earth-directed).
A G2 Watch is in effect for July 24, 2024 due to the likely arrival of a halo CME that erupted on … [+]
Exact Timings
According to an alert issued on Monday, July 22, by the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, displays of Northern Lights could be seen over some northern and upper Midwest U.S. states from New York to Idaho between 06:00-09:00 Universal Time on July 24—that’s 01:00-04:00 EDT.
The “halo CME” is expected to trigger a G2-class geomagnetic storm at that time. This refers to the severity of the storm, which also affects how far south it can be seen.
Generally speaking, G2 storms can be seen as far south as New York and Idaho; for G3, it’s Illinois and Oregon; and for G4, it’s Alabama and northern California.
Wednesday’s display is therefore not expected to be as strong—or reach as far south as—May 10’s extreme G5 geomagnetic storm, which caused displays of aurora across the world. Expect “photographic aurora,” which only a smartphone or manual camera can capture to show significant color.
An early prediction for the latitude of aurora displays in the early hours of July 24, 2024.
Thirty Minute Forecast
U.S. states that may get a glimpse of aurora may include Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, Montana, Minnesota, the northernmost part of New York and Maine.
It’s wise to have a Dark Sky Place or somewhere away from light pollution in mind, but since forecasts can change quickly, check the latest advice from the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center for exact timings—particularly its 30-minute forecast page. Frequent checking of apps like My Aurora Forecast & Alerts, AuroraWatchUK or the online Aurora – 30 Minute Forecast – Space Weather Prediction Center is also recommended.
Before you head out, check the weather forecast because clear skies are required to have any chance of seeing aurora.
Predicting Aurora
Last week, researchers at Aberystwyth University presented new research suggesting that it’s now possible to predict the precise speed at which a CME travels and, therefore, accurately predict when a geomagnetic storm will begin.
That’s important because very strong geomagnetic storms can mean strong currents that can potentially damage power transmission lines, oil and gas pipelines, railways and submarine cables.
Pick up my books Stargazing in 2024, A Stargazing Program For Beginners, and When Is The Next Eclipse?
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
Idaho
50 mph wind gusts through Wednesday night; hard freeze looms across eastern Idaho – East Idaho News
IDAHO FALLS – As windy conditions continue across eastern Idaho on Wednesday, the National Weather Service in Pocatello has issued several major warnings.
A wind advisory went into effect at 11:28 a.m. and will remain in effect until 9 p.m.
Forecasters have also issued a freeze warning early Thursday morning from 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. Temperatures between 28 and 32 degrees Fahrenheit are expected for most of the Snake River Plain. The purple areas on the map below will be affected.
“Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation, and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing,” the NWS says in a Wednesday morning alert. “Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.”
With the wind advisory, westerly winds of 25 to 35 mph will continue through Wednesday evening, with gusts up to 50 mph.
Meteorologists say the wind could make driving conditions difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. They’re urging people to be safe.
“Use extra caution. Secure outdoor objects,” forecasters say.
It also poses a risk to boaters and outdoor recreators.
“Boaters on area lakes should use extra caution since strong winds and rough waves can overturn small craft,” the alert says.
For the latest road conditions and closures, click here. Live traffic cams and a complete seven-day forecast are available here.
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BOISE — The State of Idaho issued a record number of tax refunds this year, totaling more than half a billion dollars.
Tuesday, Governor Brad Little announced that the state issued 826,370 refunds to Idaho taxpayers this year, amounting to $579,108,938 in refunds since the tax season began. This is a 25% increase in the number of Idaho taxpayers receiving a refund, with a 17% increase in the amount of refunds issued over the last year, Gov. Little said in a press release.
“We have delivered record tax relief over the last eight years, and we continue to lower the tax burden on hardworking families, keeping more money in their pockets and helping make life more affordable,” Gov. Little said.
The Board of Examiners subcommittee is considering a request from the Idaho State Tax Commission to add funds to the state’s tax refund account in response to the record refunds.
The board will consider action during its regular meeting on June 16.
Gov. Little’s press release notes that the Idaho State Tax Commission’s request is required by law. The state’s refund fund is monitored with checks and balances to ensure that money is available to process refunds, but any remaining balance is transferred to the General Fund.
I was living in Caldwell then, but a year after the flood I traveled to the dam site and the hard-hit communities. My strongest impressions were both of how sweeping the flood had been — in some places, you could see all soil had been scraped by the water — but also the speed of reconstruction. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in particular, poured enormous resources into helping the area recover, and it worked. Today, little evidence of the flood remains.
For all that success, the wreckage of those days shouldn’t be minimized. In his book, “Idaho for the Curious,” Cort Conley quoted some doggerel from a man who lived in the area then: “If I sound a little bitter, it’s for certain that I am; because right now the Upper Valley isn’t worth a Teton Dam.”
And why should this echo from 50 years ago be a story to ponder today?
This year, all of Idaho either is in or soon faces severe drought. The national water maps developed for the state look drier overall than I can recall seeing them in decades.
When that hits, people in need of water will go looking for answers. And sometimes the obvious answer isn’t the best one.
There aren’t any very easy answers. History tells us as much.
Stapilus, of Carlton, Ore., is a former Idaho newspaper reporter and editor whose writings may be found at ridenbaugh.com and stapilus.substack.com. He may be contacted at stapilus@ridenbaugh.com.
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