The effects of a coronal mass ejection—a bubble of plasma that bursts from the sun’s surface—will likely impact Earth’s magnetic field on Saturday, bringing the northern lights to several northern U.S. states, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

A coronal mass ejection from the Sun will reach Earth over the weekend. Experts predict not only the appearance of colorful lights in the night sky but also a magnetic storm, especially since the Sun has entered a period of unusual activity.

The agency expects a minor or greater geomagnetic storm—a disturbance of Earth’s magnetic field—on Saturday, which increases the likelihood of northern lights displays being visible to more people, as the effects of a recent coronal mass ejection reach Earth, according to NOAA’s three-day forecast.

Another display of the northern lights could be visible this weekend in several U.S. states following a severe solar storm. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Space Weather Prediction Center forecast a planetary K-index -- which characterizes the magnitude of geomagnetic storms - of five out of a scale of nine for Friday and Saturday,

A coronal mass ejection from the Sun will reach us over the weekend. Experts are forecasting the appearance of colourful lights in the night sky and a magnetic storm, particularly as the Sun has now entered a phase of unusual activity.