A potent solar storm is on its way and could put on a spectacular northern lights display for Labor Day across the U.S.

A fast-moving coronal mass ejection (CME), launched by a long-duration M2.7 flare from sunspot AR 4199 on Aug. 30, is expected to slam into Earth's magnetic field late on Sept. 1 into early Sept. 2 (UTC), according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC).

When it arrives, the CME is likely to spark a G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm, intensifying to G3 (strong) levels as the main body of the solar storm passes, NOAA says. That means auroras could extend much farther south than usual — giving millions across the northern U.S. a shot at catching the lights.

What's causing the aurora activity?

The incoming solar storm is the result of a powerful, Earth-directed c

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