Magnetic storms in Virginia
Magnetic storms in Virginia, United States. Current Kp index, 3-day storm forecast, list of cities and geomagnetic activity.
Cities in region5/5
An aurora visible over Virginia requires Kp ≥ 7 — current activity is below that level.
Numbers for Virginia
Aurora forecast over Virginia
Cities of Virginia — sensitivity table
Minimum Kp shown for a realistic chance of seeing an aurora. The lower the number, the more noticeable storms are in the city.
| City | Population | Geomagnetic latitude | Kp threshold | Sensitivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | 454,808 | 46.2° | ≥ 7 | Mid-latitudes |
| Norfolk | 238,005 | 46.2° | ≥ 7 | Mid-latitudes |
| Chesapeake | 235,429 | 46.1° | ≥ 7 | Mid-latitudes |
| Richmond | 226,610 | 46.9° | ≥ 7 | Mid-latitudes |
| Arlington | 207,627 | 48.2° | ≥ 7 | Mid-latitudes |
FAQ about magnetic storms in Virginia
Are auroras visible in Virginia?+
Rarely. The geomagnetic latitude of Virginia (≈ 46.7°) is not high enough for regular auroras. They are possible only during strong storms Kp ≥ 7 (G3–G4), a few times a year.
How do magnetic storms affect residents of Virginia?+
At Kp ≥ 5 weather-sensitive people may experience blood pressure swings, headaches, sleep disturbances. Effects are moderate due to low geomagnetic latitude. However, strong G3+ storms can cause noticeable discomfort even here.
What Kp is needed to see an aurora in Virginia?+
By our estimate — Kp ≥ 7 (based on the regional mean of 46.7° geomagnetic latitude). The threshold is lower in the north of the region and higher in the south. For a specific city, open its page and check the «Aurora visibility threshold» section.
Where is the best place to watch auroras in Virginia?+
Best conditions are at the northernmost city in our database (Arlington, 38.9° N). The further north, the higher the geomagnetic latitude and the more frequent the auroras. Also important: clear sky, no city light pollution, and observation around local midnight.
What is the nearest magnetic observatory?+
The nearest observatory is Lovozero (Murmansk), at 7014 km from the centre of Virginia. It belongs to the INTERMAGNET network and records the geomagnetic field in real time.
About magnetic storms: Virginia
Magnetic storms in Virginia (United States) today: planetary Kp = 2.7 (quiet). The database holds 5 cities in the region with live geomagnetic data and forecasts.
Pick a city from the list to see detailed information: local time, geomagnetic latitude, distance to the nearest magnetic observatory, 3-day Kp chart with forecast and aurora visibility chance. All cities in Virginia use the same planetary Kp, but the local impact is computed individually per coordinates.
How a magnetic storm may manifest in Virginia: at Kp ≥ 5, weather-sensitive people can have headaches, blood-pressure swings, sleep disruption. At Kp ≥ 7, GPS navigation and shortwave radio may glitch. At Kp ≥ 8 — power-grid issues. Data from NOAA SWPC, updated every 10 minutes.
Inside Virginia, geomagnetic latitude varies from 46.1° to 48.2°, with a mean of 46.7°. The northernmost city, Arlington, gets aurora visibility opportunities first when Kp climbs; the 2.1° south-to-north spread is enough to put neighbouring cities into very different storm-response groups.
The nearest magnetic observatory tracking conditions over Virginia is Lovozero (Murmansk). Combined with the planetary Kp index from NOAA SWPC, this station gives the closest reference point for how the local magnetic field behaves during storms in this part of United States.