A large solar flare on Sunday is expected to strike the Earth tonight treating sky watchers in the northern United States to a display of aurorae. The increased activity is being monitored by NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) in Boulder.

The ejection of charged particles from the sun follows a period of relative calm in terms of solar activity. What is being termed a “solar tsunami” – a wall of charged ion particles – is expected to trigger a geomagnetic storm visible in the northern latitudes.

The aurorae, normally only visible at extreme northern latitudes, are expected to put on a show for areas as far south as the northern contiguous United States the nights of August 3rd and 4th. 

Unfortunately for those in Colorado, the phenomena won’t be strong enough to reach the state. But, those in Oregon, Montana, North Dakota and other states further north should be able to witness the event.

You can get the rest of this story including seeing some amazing video of the eruption on the Denver Weather Examiner.