NOAA classifies geomagnetic storms on a scale of G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme), with G5 being the most powerful and least common. The G5 storm that was seen in May this year was the first of its kind since 2003, and resulted in aurorae being seen across all 50 U.S. states.

The northern lights may be visible on Wednesday and Thursday in states like New York, Wisconsin and Washington as G2 geomagnetic storms were forecast by NOAA.

Hundreds of homeowners in England and Wales were battling floodwaters after the second major storm of the winter brought widespread disruption to the U.K.