Northern Lights May Be Visible in 20 US States, Including Michigan
Residents of Michigan and up to 20 other U.S. states could witness a strong northern lights display on Thursday night, November 6, weather permitting. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts that the aurora borealis may be visible from late Thursday into the early morning of Friday, November 7.
The phenomenon might reoccur Friday night as well, triggered by a moderate geomagnetic storm caused by solar eruptions earlier this week. These eruptions sent charged particles toward Earth’s magnetic field, potentially allowing the lights to be seen farther south than usual.
Where to See the Aurora in Michigan
In Michigan, the aurora could appear overhead as far south as Traverse City, Gaylord, and Alpena. The northern horizon view line might extend to northern Ohio and Indiana, offering visibility to a wider region.
Details of the Geomagnetic Storm
NOAA describes the event as a G3 geomagnetic storm, a significant disruption of Earth's magnetic field worldwide. This storm is expected to produce a Kp index of 7. The Kp index measures the global severity of magnetic disturbances near Earth on a scale from 0 to 9.
"A Kp index of 5 or greater typically means the northern lights may be visible across Michigan," according to NOAA.
When to Watch
- Late-night hours of Thursday, November 6
- Early morning hours of Friday, November 7
- Possibly again on Friday night
These conditions make this week promising for viewing the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights.
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