Solar Storm Oct 9: Northern Lights Forecast, IST & EDT Time

Last updated: October 7, 2026 (IST). A powerful full-halo CME from sunspot AR4549 is forecast to hit Earth on Friday, October 9, with the NOAA WSA-ENLIL model predicting arrival around 10:30 AM IST (1:00 AM EDT). In response, the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a G2 (Moderate) Geomagnetic Storm Watch, triggering widespread anticipation for a spectacular solar storm October 9 2026 northern lights display.

1. Solar Storm Oct 9, 2026: Key Facts at a Glance

Here are the verified details of the incoming solar event:

• Oct 6 Eruption – Sunspot region AR4549, located near the centre of the Sun's Earth-facing side, produced an M1.4 flare and a full-halo CME aimed at Earth. Hours later, AR4549 fired an M1.8 flare.
• CME Speed – Belgium's SIDC estimates the coronal mass ejection is traveling at approximately 560 km/s.
• NOAA G2 Watch – Issued at 16:40 UTC on Oct 6 (10:10 PM IST / 12:40 PM EDT), forecasting that G1–G2 storms are likely on Oct 9.
• Dark Skies – The October 10 New Moon guarantees exceptionally dark skies for the northern lights forecast October 9.

2. CME Arrival & G2 Storm Timeline in IST, EDT, PDT & UTC

3. Northern Lights Forecast: Which US States & Best Time

The best window to see the northern lights tonight and into tomorrow is Thursday night, October 8, into Friday morning, October 9. The central and western US will stay dark through the forecast G2 peak (4–7 AM CDT / 2–5 AM PDT), giving observers there a significant advantage. Meanwhile, the East Coast has only a short pre-dawn window before sunrise washes out the sky. For the best views, face north from a dark site away from city light pollution.

According to the NOAA SWPC, aurora sightings are possible in these regions: In the US, auroras may reach northern and upper Midwest states including Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. In Canada, auroras will likely be visible across most southern provinces. In the UK, the best G1 window is 4–7 AM BST, with northern Scotland offering the best chances.

4. Northern Lights + Draconid Meteor Shower on the Same Night

Stargazers are in for a rare double feature: The Draconid meteor shower peaks on the exact same night, reaching its predicted maximum around 01:00 UTC on October 9 (9:00 PM EDT Thu Oct 8 / 6:30 AM IST Oct 9). With the New Moon on October 10 ensuring perfectly dark skies, observers in the northern hemisphere might capture both shooting stars and the aurora borealis simultaneously.

Plan your viewing carefully: Check out our full guide on the Draconid Meteor Shower 2026 Peak Time and monitor the latest solar storm today updates to maximize your chances of witnessing this dual celestial event.

5. Will the Solar Storm Affect India?

For those tracking the solar storm India impact (सौर तूफान): There will be no aurora visible from India. The CME arrival time IST falls during Indian daytime, and historically, auroras over regions like Ladakh have required far stronger G4–G5 extreme storms, such as the historic May 2024 event. Furthermore, there is no expected impact on people, mobile phones, the internet, or the power grid.

However, minor technical effects are possible: India might experience brief, minor GPS/NavIC and HF-radio disruptions as the plasma cloud strikes Earth's magnetic field. Meanwhile, India's Aditya-L1 spacecraft continues to safely observe the solar wind from the L1 Lagrange point, providing crucial real-time data to ISRO.

6. What Is a Full-Halo CME? Sunspot AR4549 Explained

7. G1 vs G2 vs G3: NOAA Storm Scale & Kp Index

Understanding the NOAA geomagnetic storm scale: The NOAA SWPC categorizes storms from G1 (Minor) to G5 (Extreme). The current G2 geomagnetic storm watch corresponds to a Kp index of 6. Here is how they compare:

• G1 (Minor) / Kp 5 – Weak power grid fluctuations; minor impact on satellite operations; auroras visible at high latitudes.
• G2 (Moderate) / Kp 6 – Voltage alarms in high-latitude power systems; HF radio fade-outs; auroras may be seen as low as New York and Idaho.
• G3 (Strong) / Kp 7 – Voltage corrections required; false alarms on protective devices; auroras visible further south into the mid-latitudes.

8. How to Watch & Photograph the Aurora

Photography tips for the geomagnetic storm October 2026: For smartphone users, activate night mode, use 3–10 second exposures, and mount your device on a tripod. DSLR users should opt for a 14–24 mm wide-angle lens, open the aperture to f/2.8, set ISO to 1600–3200, and use 5–15 second exposures. Always check NOAA's 30-minute aurora forecast and watch for the interplanetary magnetic field (Bz) turning south, which fuels brighter displays. Remember, nothing is guaranteed in space weather.

9. More Solar Activity Ahead: X-Flare Risk & Oct 11 Outlook

The solar threat is not over: Alongside the volatile AR4549, sunspot AR4545 is also Earth-facing and highly active. The beta-gamma-delta magnetic configuration of AR4549 means the risk of powerful X-class solar flares remains elevated through the week, which could launch further CMEs toward Earth.

Looking ahead to the weekend: Space weather forecasters note that a coronal-hole high-speed solar wind stream is expected to impact Earth's magnetic field. This secondary stream could raise geomagnetic activity again around October 11, potentially extending the aurora viewing window.

10. Key Dates to Watch

Keep these dates in mind: Oct 6 (AR4549 eruption), Thu Oct 8 night (Draconids and early aurora window), Fri Oct 9 (CME arrival and G2 peak), Oct 10 (New Moon), and Oct 11 (next solar wind disturbance). Disclaimer: CME arrival times and storm levels are forecasts and can change. Author: Zendar Universe Sky Desk | Reviewed by the Zendar Universe Research Team | This page will be updated on October 8–10 as NOAA forecasts change.