The National Weather Service has issued a geomagnetic storm watch this week, with a solar storm potentially making the Northern Lights visible.
According to the NWS’ Space Weather Prediction Center, a series of three Coronal Mass Ejections (CME’s) are expected to impact Earth in the next two days, and as a result a strong Northern Lights show could be triggered.
The storm watch is calling for a possible G3-level storm, which could potentially make the Northern Lights visible as far south as the lower Midwest, including Illinois.
The National Weather Service also says there is a possibility of a “combination event,” which would raise the potential for the Northern Lights to be visible in the Midwest.
That show could be coupled with clear skies, which could again raise the possibility of the lights being visible.
The auroras occur when energized particles collide with Earth’s atmosphere, causing colorful glows that can appear in a variety of shades and hues.
The best way to see the Northern Lights is to find a space with a clear view of the northern sky, and to allow your eyes to adjust for at least 15 minutes to the darkness.
Cameras can also pick up the Northern Lights more easily than human eyes can, with their lengthened exposure helping to sharpen those images.
You can stay tuned to the NBC 5 Storm Team for the latest forecasts on the Aurora Borealis.
