Northern lights seen across Bay Area skies as severe geomagnetic storms hit

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Astronomers and star gazers have their eyes on the skies Tuesday night as the Northern lights are visible here in the Bay Area and across the country.

Experts say over the past few days, the sun has ejected several bursts of charged particles that are burped out several bursts of energy called "coronal mass ejections" that could reach Earth Tuesday night and early Wednesday.

The potential severe geomagnetic storms could disrupt radio and GPS communications, according to forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

How bright the auroras are and how far south they are visible, will depend on when the solar bursts get here and how they interact with Earth's atmosphere.

The vibrant displays could be visible across much of the northern U.S., and as far south as Alabama and Northern California.