(NEXSTAR) – Solar activity is heating up just in time for the weekend, bringing back-to-back chances for northern states to spot the northern lights.

A "strong" solar flare was observed Thursday, creating interference and signal issues for high frequency radio users, the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) said. "Flares of this magnitude are not frequent."

The agency also issued a G2-level geomagnetic storm watch for Friday through Sunday, as coronal mass ejections make their way toward Earth.

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