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‘Severe’ Geomagnetic Storm May Push Northern Lights South

Indira Zaldivar
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‘Severe’ Geomagnetic Storm May Push Northern Lights South

Space weather experts say a powerful geomagnetic storm could soon make the northern lights visible far beyond their usual range, potentially reaching parts of the southern United States.

Solar Eruption Headed Toward Earth

A coronal mass ejection, or CME, erupted from the sun on Sunday and is expected to reach Earth within 24 hours, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center and the U.K.’s Met Office. The burst of solar material and magnetic energy could trigger strong to severe geomagnetic storm conditions.

Auroras Could Reach the Deep South

Forecasters warn that G3 (strong) or G4 (severe) storm levels are possible. Under those conditions, auroras could be visible as far south as Alabama and northern California, a rare sight for much of the continental U.S.

Northern lights form when charged solar particles collide with atoms and molecules in Earth’s upper atmosphere, causing them to glow and create colorful displays across the night sky.

Visibility Depends on Conditions

Whether the auroras are actually seen will depend on several factors, including the CME’s magnetic orientation when it arrives and local weather conditions. NOAA recommends viewing between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. local time and traveling to the darkest possible location for the best chance of seeing the lights.

Potential Impacts Beyond the Sky

In addition to auroras, the storm could disrupt power systems, spacecraft operations, radio frequencies and satellite navigation. A G3 storm may require voltage corrections on power grids and cause intermittent navigation issues, while a G4 storm could lead to more widespread grid problems and increased satellite disruptions.

Spacecraft could also experience surface charging and tracking difficulties.

Solar Activity Remains Elevated

The sun reached the peak, or solar maximum, of its 11-year cycle in October 2024 and has continued producing intense solar flares and geomagnetic storms. NOAA says heightened magnetic activity from sunspots is expected to continue through 2026, increasing the likelihood of future aurora displays.

NOAA officials are still analyzing data from the latest CME as they refine forecasts for the coming days.

For more updates on the geomagnetic storms, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Aid Workers, Women Bear Brunt of Sudan’s War

Que Onda Editorial
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Aid Workers, Women Bear Brunt of Sudan’s War

A conflict now stretching beyond 1,000 days has plunged Sudan deeper into humanitarian crisis, with women, civilians and aid workers facing widespread violence, displacement and severe shortages of care.

Pregnant Women Caught in the Crossfire

Nadra Ahmed was seven months pregnant when she was forced to walk nearly 25 miles under armed guard and beaten by a member of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to the Associated Press. She is one of more than 140 pregnant women sheltering at an aid camp in northern Sudan, many of whom fled active fighting between the RSF and Sudan’s military.

Their stories reflect countless others that remain largely undocumented, as access to conflict zones and reliable information has been severely restricted.

War Enters Its Fourth Year

The power struggle between Sudan’s military and the RSF began in 2023 and has devastated much of the country, particularly the Darfur region, now largely under RSF control. In October 2025, videos surfaced showing mass killings in Darfur, prompting the U.S. government to accuse the RSF of committing genocide while alleging war crimes by both sides.

Civilians remain trapped between the warring forces, facing hunger, violence and displacement on a massive scale.

Aid Workers Under Threat

Humanitarian workers are also struggling to survive. Aid workers speaking to ABC News through a partnership with Women for Women International described fleeing violence with no choice but to abandon medical equipment and personal belongings.

Hiba, a 26-year-old aid worker with the Sudan Family Planning Association, helps run a mobile clinic offering reproductive health care and services for survivors of gender-based violence. Speaking anonymously for safety reasons, she said the need far exceeds available support.

“The needs in the camp are growing every day,” Hiba said. “We need not just basic assistance, but real opportunities to heal, grow and rise again.”

Hospitals Running on Empty

Dr. Tom Catena, medical director of Mother of Mercy Hospital in the Nuba Mountains, said the crisis is ultimately a funding issue. The hospital, which serves a population of more than 3 million people, was already under-resourced before the war began.

“Without funding, you can’t do anything,” Catena said. “You can be the best doctor in the world and you’re totally useless without it.”

Targeted Attacks Deepen Despair

In a video diary sent to ABC News in December 2025, Catena described a recent drone strike near the hospital that killed about 40 people. He said attacks on medical facilities are devastating for already traumatized communities.

“If you target a hospital, imagine the demoralizing effect that has on people,” Catena said. “You give up.”

As the conflict grinds on, aid workers warn that without increased international support, Sudan’s civilians — especially women and children — will continue to pay the highest price.

For more on this tragic story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Warm rainmaker arrives Wednesday, arctic front could bring frozen precipitation this weekend

ABC13 Houston
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Warm rainmaker arrives Wednesday, arctic front could bring frozen precipitation this weekend

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — We’ve got warmer and wetter weather in the forecast this week before an arctic cold front arrives late Friday, and we now have an ABC13 Weather Watch for Saturday and Sunday because of the possibility of freezing rain and sleet behind the front.

Overnight we expect clouds to start returning with seasonal low temperatures in the upper 30s and low 40s. Cloud cover will increase on Tuesday as a rainy low pressure system moves our way. Despite the clouds, our rain chances will only be around 10% and our temperatures will still warm well into the 60s.

On Wednesday we’ll have lows in the 50s and highs in the 60s with widespread clouds and showers. Your chance of getting rain is 60%.

What should I be preparing for with the arctic cold front this weekend?

First off, it’s going to bring our coldest stretch of weather so far this winter. We should have 2-3 mornings with freezing temperatures, and if we get frozen precipitation, we may spend 24-48 hours below freezing. A hard freeze looks unlikely at this time, but there is a chance we will have frozen precipitation starting on Saturday and ending on Sunday. If we get frozen precipitation, there could be major disruptions to travel along with widespread power outages.

Will it snow?!

Probably not. The arctic air is expected to be shallow, meaning the layer of freezing air will not be thick enough to support snow. Instead, if we get anything frozen at all, it would likely be in the form of freezing rain or sleet (ice pellets).

Is this is a pipe-bursting type of cold?

At this time we are leaning more towards a long duration light freeze, but a hard freeze that can burst interior pipes is possible if we end up getting a lot of frozen precipitation.

When will we have more confidence on what will happen with the potential winter storm this weekend?

By Wednesday we should have a clearer picture of how this all unfolds, and then we’ll iron out the finer details Thursday and Friday.

13 ALERT RADAR MAPS:
Southeast Texas
Houston
Harris County
Galveston County
Montgomery/Walker/San Jacinto/Polk/Grimes Counties
Fort Bend/Wharton/Colorado Counties
Brazoria/Matagorda Counties

Have weather tips, videos, and photos?

Send it to ABC13 using the form below. If you have a video or photo to send, terms of use apply. If you don’t, just hit ‘skip upload’ and send the details.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

For more Houston headlines, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine!

ERCOT working on a planning process to address data centers looking to come to Texas

ABC13 Houston
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ERCOT working on a planning process to address data centers looking to come to Texas

AUSTIN, Texas (KTRK) — In the short term, ERCOT said it has enough power to handle this weekend’s potential winter storm, and it’s also eyeing long-term strains by working on a new planning process.

This weekend, ABC13 meteorologists are tracking a potential storm that could bring snow to northern Texas and freezing rain to southeast Texas. On Monday, ABC13 asked the state’s grid operator, ERCOT, if it’s ready to handle the potential storm.

The agency told Eyewitness News that, based on expected weather conditions, ERCOT anticipates there will be sufficient generation to meet demand this winter. You might remember, nearly five years ago, a winter storm crippled the grid.

In February 2021, a University of Houston report shows more than two-thirds of all Texans lost power for nearly three days during a winter storm.

Winter weather isn’t the thing putting a possible strain on the grid. Late last week, ERCOT leaders met with the Public Utility of Commission of Texas to talk about a planning process to handle businesses, including data centers and cryptocurrency companies that use a lot of power.

Last year, ERCOT says it got requests from large load operators to use just over 13,000 megawatts. In five years, that number could jump to 225,000 megawatts from those providers.

Before projects are connected, ERCOT is working on a new process.

“At the end of the process, at the end of the study, the developers would have a set amount of time to make a commitment, a financial commitment, that they’re going to move forward with that project,” ERCOT interconnection and grid analysis vice president, Jeff Billo, explained. “If they do that, the transmission projects would move forward.”

A Houston Advanced Research Center and University of Houston report shows that one large data center can use the same power as 80,000 homes. The report found that the growth is intensifying grid demands, potentially straining future availability.

An industry that’s growing quickly. Texas comptroller figures show that five years ago, there were only 13 registered data centers statewide.

Last year, it climbed to nearly 100. In fact, when it comes to this winter, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation said data centers are driving demand forecasts and contributing to shortfall risks.

For updates on this story, follow Nick Natario on Facebook, X and Instagram.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston. For more Houston headlines, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

U.S. Weather Research Center Faces Potential Dismantling

Que Onda Editorial
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U.S. Weather Research Center Faces Potential Dismantling

The National Center for Atmospheric Research, a cornerstone of U.S. weather and climate science, is facing a potential restructuring that could effectively dismantle the institution, raising alarm among scientists and emergency management officials.

The National Science Foundation announced a review of the Boulder-based center’s operations, which could include transferring its supercomputing resources, relocating research aircraft, and narrowing the scope of its modeling and forecasting work. NCAR has been at the forefront of atmospheric research since its founding in 1960.

“NCAR’s integrated approach to modeling the atmosphere, oceans, and land systems is not easily replicated,” said Margaret Leinen, a former NOAA official. “Breaking it apart could weaken the nation’s forecasting and research infrastructure.”

The review comes amid broader federal reductions in climate and weather science funding. Earlier budget proposals called for cuts of roughly 40% to NCAR, and some administration officials have criticized the center as promoting what they describe as “climate alarmism.”

Scientists warn that disrupting NCAR’s operations could compromise hurricane forecasts, wildfire modeling, flood predictions, and other critical public safety tools. Lawmakers from Colorado have also expressed concern about potential threats to both public safety and U.S. competitiveness in atmospheric science.

The NSF said the review process aims to “rescope” NCAR’s functions while consulting with stakeholders, but details remain uncertain. “Nothing has been finalized,” an NSF spokesperson said.

UCAR, the managing body for NCAR, called the proposal “deeply concerning” and emphasized the center’s role in protecting lives and informing policy decisions.

The outcome of the review could have long-term implications for U.S. weather research, climate modeling, and disaster preparedness.

U.S. Citizen Child Deported With Mother After ICE Detention in Texas

Que Onda Editorial
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U.S. Citizen Child Deported With Mother After ICE Detention in Texas

A 5‑year‑old U.S. citizen, identified as Génesis Ester Gutiérrez Castellanos, was reportedly deported to Honduras along with her mother, Karen Guadalupe Gutiérrez Castellanos, after both were taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) earlier this month, according to immigration advocacy group Grassroots Leadership and local reporting.

How It Happened

The incident began on Jan. 11, 2026, when Austin Police Department officers responded to a call about a possible disturbance at a residence in the West Oak Hill area. Police reported finding no active disturbance but did identify an administrative immigration warrant for Karen Gutiérrez Castellanos.

Under departmental policy, APD notified ICE about the warrant. Federal agents then took both the mother and her daughter into custody. They were reportedly held temporarily at a hotel in San Antonio before being deported to Honduras. Advocacy groups say they were instructed not to disclose their location.

Community Reaction and Concerns

Advocates and local community members have raised concerns about the handling of the case, describing it as an example of a “cruel immigrant system” that adversely impacts families. Grassroots Leadership and others have questioned how a U.S. citizen child could be removed from the country along with her mother.

During the first days after the detention, Génesis’s family said they were unable to locate her and her mother, heightening alarm among relatives. After two days of uncertainty, family members were finally able to contact them, according to local Spanish‑language reporting. The mother was reportedly nervous and accompanied by immigration agents when she made the call, and was told not to reveal her location.

Legal experts have pointed out that federal immigration authorities are not required to notify family members when an individual is detained for immigration reasons, a policy that can complicate efforts to track detained loved ones and make arrangements, especially when children are involved.

Legal and Rights Questions

Under U.S. law, citizenship status is a constitutional protection — U.S. citizens generally cannot be deported from the United States. Legal advocates argue that deporting a citizen, especially a minor, raises serious due process questions. Experts have also noted that ICE and other immigration authorities have at times removed citizen children along with parents because of the complexities of family deportation cases and how administrative warrants are handled, although such actions are controversial and legally fraught.

Broader Context

While this case has sparked particular attention, similar situations, including other U.S. citizen children being deported with their parents, have occurred in recent years and drawn legal challenges and public debate. Courts and advocacy groups have criticized the lack of clear procedures for handling citizen children in immigration enforcement actions, especially when parents are subject to removal.

Latino communities in Texas face unequal burden from air pollution

Indira Zaldivar
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Latino communities in Texas face unequal burden from air pollution

Latino communities in Texas are disproportionately exposed to unsafe levels of air pollution, according to a new report from the Hispanic Access Foundation, raising concerns about environmental justice and public health.

The study, part of the community science initiative El Aire Que Respiramos (The Air We Breathe), found that several Texas cities with large Latino populations — including Weslaco, McAllen and El Paso — experienced levels of fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, near or above the Environmental Protection Agency’s annual safety limit of 9 micrograms per cubic meter.

PM2.5 particles are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream and are linked to asthma, heart disease, stroke and lung cancer, researchers said. Latino children are especially at risk, with asthma-related emergency visits nearly twice as high as for non-Hispanic white children.

Manuel Lopez, a community organizer in Weslaco, said many residents are unaware of the health risks posed by poor air quality. “We want people to know what’s in the air they’re breathing and how it affects their families,” he said.

The study highlighted multiple sources of pollution, including vehicle exhaust, industrial facilities, fossil fuel combustion and agricultural fires. Communities located near industrial corridors, such as the Houston Ship Channel, face some of the highest exposure levels in the state, researchers said.

“This is an environmental justice issue,” said Dr. Maria Sanchez, a public health researcher involved in the project. “Latino and low-income neighborhoods often bear the brunt of pollution while receiving few of the economic benefits from nearby industries.”

Community science efforts aim to provide localized air quality data in Spanish and English, helping residents advocate for stricter emissions regulations and cleaner air. The report is part of a broader push for environmental equity in Texas and nationwide.

City Breaks Ground on César Chávez Archway in Downtown

Edward Saenz
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City Breaks Ground on César Chávez Archway in Downtown

City leaders and community members gathered Monday to break ground on a new César Chávez Archway in downtown Laredo, honoring the civil rights and labor leader’s legacy.

The archway, located at 1000 Zaragoza Street, is intended as a symbol of hope, dignity, courage and justice, officials said, and as a reminder of the importance of civic engagement for younger generations.

Mayor Victor Treviño called the project “a gateway to shared values,” emphasizing that it represents the city’s commitment to human dignity and community recognition. Former Webb County Judge Danny Valdez said the effort was long overdue, noting that while Chávez never visited Laredo, his influence on Latino communities across the country is significant.

The project is part of a three-phase plan to commemorate Chávez in Laredo. The first phase is the archway itself. The second phase involves naming a street after Chávez, which the City Council has already approved. Officials said a larger commemorative project is planned for the future.

Manuel Bocanegra, founder of the César Chávez Memorial Alliance of South Texas, highlighted the years of advocacy that led to the project, noting that local celebrations of Chávez’s legacy date back to 2002 with annual March for Justice events.

Organizers said the archway will serve both as a public art installation and as an educational tool, reflecting Chávez’s contributions to civil rights and labor movements nationwide.

Construction is expected to begin immediately, though city officials did not release a completion date.

Southeast Texas to receive more than $30M in federal coastal funding

Edward Saenz
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Southeast Texas to receive more than $30M in federal coastal funding

Southeast Texas is set to receive more than $30 million in federal funding for coastal infrastructure, navigation and environmental projects under a sweeping appropriations package approved by Congress, money local leaders say is critical for economic growth and storm protection in the region.

The funding is included in a 2026 federal appropriations bill that cleared both the U.S. House and Senate and is awaiting the president’s signature. The money targets long-standing priorities along the Upper Texas Coast, including shipping channels, flood mitigation and marine research.

The largest share — nearly $18 million — is earmarked for operations and maintenance of the Galveston Ship Channel, one of the nation’s busiest waterways for petrochemical exports and commercial shipping. Federal officials say the funding will help ensure the channel remains navigable and competitive for global trade.

Another about $9 million would go toward continued work on the Sabine-Neches Waterway, which serves the ports of Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange. The project aims to deepen the channel to allow larger vessels to reach Southeast Texas ports, a move expected to support jobs and expand the region’s role in energy and industrial exports.

The bill also includes $5 million for engineering and design work on the Coastal Texas Project, commonly known as the Ike Dike. The massive coastal resilience initiative is designed to reduce storm surge and flooding risks for coastal communities and protect critical energy infrastructure from hurricanes.

In addition, $1.25 million is allocated for oyster research and aquaculture support through Texas A&M AgriLife. The funding is intended to strengthen sustainable oyster production, restore coastal habitats and support the region’s seafood industry.

Supporters say the investments address both immediate economic needs and long-term environmental challenges in Southeast Texas, a region that has suffered repeated flooding and hurricane damage in recent years.

The funding continues a broader federal focus on coastal Texas, where lawmakers and industry leaders have pushed for sustained investment to protect ports, communities and ecosystems that play a major role in the national economy.

Menefee, Edwards head to runoff to fill late Rep. Sylvester Turner’s Houston seat

Edward Saenz
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Menefee, Edwards head to runoff to fill late Rep. Sylvester Turner’s Houston seat

Voters in Houston-area U.S. House District 18 are heading to the polls Jan. 31 for a runoff election to fill the seat vacated by the late Rep. Sylvester Turner, setting up a contest between two prominent Democrats in a district long considered safely blue.

The runoff pits Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee against former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards after neither candidate secured a majority in the Nov. 4 special election. The winner will serve the remainder of Turner’s term.

Early voting runs Jan. 21 through Jan. 27, according to election officials.

District 18, which includes much of inner-city Houston, has been represented by Democrats for decades. Because of that, the runoff is widely viewed as determinative, with no Republican candidate advancing to the final round.

Menefee, a progressive who has served as Harris County attorney since 2021, has campaigned on issues including voting rights, abortion access and opposition to policies advanced by former President Donald Trump and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. He was among the top vote-getters in the first round of voting.

Edwards, who previously served on the Houston City Council and ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 2020, has emphasized community engagement, economic opportunity and representation for working-class families. She has consolidated support from some former rivals, including state Rep. Jolanda Jones, who endorsed Edwards after finishing third in the initial election.

The race is drawing attention beyond Houston because of its potential impact on the closely divided U.S. House. While a single seat is unlikely to dramatically alter the balance of power, political analysts say it could slightly bolster Democrats once the winner is sworn in.

Adding to the complexity, voters in District 18 are expected to return to the polls again later this year under newly redrawn congressional maps for the 2026 primary and general elections.

The runoff election will be held using the current district boundaries. Election officials are urging voters to check polling locations and eligibility ahead of early voting and Election Day.

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