NEW YORK — New Yorkers could have a chance to see the Northern Lights Monday night.

The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a warning for a geomagnetic storm through Tuesday.

The geomagnetic storm is slated to have a K-index of 7 or greater. "A severe solar radiation storm is currently in progress, marking the first S4 storm since 2003," according to NOAA. That storm could impact satellite operations, NOAA said.

According to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, a coronal mass ejection, or CME, is an eruption of solar material and magnetic fields. "When they arrive at Earth, a geomagnetic storm can result. Watches at this level are very rare."

The center says the potential effects of the elevated geomagnetic activity are "mainly limited to space launch, aviation, and satellite operations."

Also, the Space Weather Prediction Center said, auroras may become visible over much of the northern half of the country, and maybe as far south as Alabama to northern California.

Whether or not residents will be able to see the Northern Lights depends on if Mother Nature cooperates — and on Long Island, forecasters said, chances look good.

According to John Murray, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Office in Upton: "It's possible."

The map indicates a line of auroras going through Long Island's local forecast area for Monday night. "And our forecast for sky cover is minimal, with decreasing cloudiness for most of the night. It's a mostly clear forecast with minimal clouds, so that helps the chances of seeing the auroras."

The best chances of seeing the auroras is during the overnight period, closer to midnight, Murray said.

For those heading out to try and catch a glimpse, the temperatures will be frosty, with highs only in the teens, he added.

Source: https://patch.com/new-york/northfork/northern-lights-possibly-visible-across-li-monday-night-due-minimal-clouds-nws