The northern lights may be visible across parts of the northern United States, including Michigan and Wisconsin, on the night of July 26, according to forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC).
Why it matters: The event provides a rare opportunity for those in lower latitudes to experience the natural wonder usually reserved for regions closer to the poles.
The details:
- The aurora borealis is expected to be driven by a geomagnetic storm, classified as a G1 storm, indicating a minor to moderate disturbance of the Earth’s magnetic field.
- The storm is predicted to produce a Kp rating of 5, an index used to measure the severity of global magnetic disturbances, which can range from zero to 9+.
- Much of the Upper Midwest is within Sunday night’s aurora viewing range, including North Dakota, parts of Montana, northern Minnesota and Wisconsin, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
- Alaska offers the greatest viewing opportunity for the northern lights, followed by states such as North Dakota, South Dakota, and New Hampshire.
The northern lights occur when solar wind strikes the Earth’s atmosphere, causing light waves to shimmer and move across the night sky. The colors of the aurora depend on the type of gas being excited by electrons and the amount of energy involved.
Viewing tips:
- The best viewing times for the northern lights are between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., as the aurora tends to be brightest and most active around midnight.
- To enhance the viewing experience, move toward the magnetic north pole and away from cities and other sources of light pollution.
- In Wisconsin, northern cities will have mostly clear skies on the night of July 26, increasing the chances of seeing the aurora borealis. However, southern Wisconsin might face cloudy skies due to anticipated showers and thunderstorms.
What else to look for: In addition to the aurora borealis, several major meteor showers are active in the summer skies, including the Piscis Austrinid meteor shower, which is expected to reach its peak overnight Sunday into Monday.
