'Severe' Solar Storm Watch Issued for First Time in 19 Years

A Level 4 (Severe) geomagnetic solar storm watch has been issued by NOAA for the first time since 2005, with the potential for dazzling aurora borealis displays coupled with potential GPS and satellite problems. 

"Watches at this level are very rare," the agency wrote in its warning. "The aurora may become visible over much of the northern half of the country, and maybe as far south as Alabama or Northern California." A level four alert was last issued in January 2005. 

The merging...