The "colossal hole" in the sun is a coronal hole that is currently facing Earth, and the resulting solar wind is expected to trigger geomagnetic storm conditions and potentially impressive auroras this weekend, specifically around Saturday, October 11, through Sunday, October 12, 2025.
The high-speed solar wind stream is predicted to arrive late Saturday (Oct. 11) into Sunday (Oct. 12). Forecasters from NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center and the U.K. Met Office predict geomagnetic activity could pick up late on October 11, with the highest activity expected between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT (0900–1700 GMT) on October 12.
Expected Storm Class: Forecasts anticipate reaching minor (G1) geomagnetic storm conditions, with a peak Kp index of 5.
Visibility: If G1 conditions are met, auroras could be visible in the northern parts of the U.S., such as northern Michigan and Maine, though visibility heavily depends on local conditions like clear, dark skies.
Coronal Hole: A coronal hole is an area in the sun's atmosphere where the magnetic field opens up, allowing high-speed solar wind to stream out into space.
Seasonal Boost: The timing near the autumn equinox enhances the chances of auroras due to the Russell-McPherron effect, which helps the solar wind connect more efficiently with Earth's magnetic field.