Tonight is predicted to be one of the best nights this year to view the Northern Lights, with potential visibility extending to residents in the European part of Russia. The Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IKI RAN) reports exceptionally high probabilities of auroras for this evening.

The auroral oval over the Russian Federation has maintained high intensity for approximately 9 hours. The southern boundary of the auroral zone has reached a latitude of about 50 degrees, with no current indications of weakening.

Experts suggest that if the solar wind conditions remain stable over the next 5-6 hours, widespread auroras are likely to appear in the European part of the country. They emphasize that this could be the best opportunity this year, while cautioning that it is contingent on continued favorable conditions.

As of 5:45 PM Moscow time, the probability of seeing the aurora in St. Petersburg has risen to 28%, moving into the yellow zone of likelihood. Moscow remains in the green zone, with a 19% probability. Real-time probability updates are available on the IKI RAN website.

According to Mikhail Leus, a leading specialist at the PHOBOS center, a strong and prolonged magnetic storm that began on June 1 is likely responsible for the active and widespread southern auroras. The most intense phase of the storm had passed by the morning of June 2. Preliminary analysis indicates that the mass ejection event exceeded the speed and temperature of those responsible for the largest magnetic storms of the past 20 years, recorded in May 2024.