Northern Lights Alert: Solar Activity Could Bring Auroras to Michigan and Northern US This Weekend

Get ready to look up! This weekend, skywatchers in Michigan and other northern U.S. states may have a chance to witness the mesmerizing Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis. Recent solar activity, including significant solar flares, has increased the likelihood of geomagnetic storms, potentially making the aurora visible at lower latitudes than usual.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Space Weather Prediction Center, a G1-rated geomagnetic storm is likely to commence overnight on Saturday, May 17, and continue through Sunday, May 18. This follows the strongest solar flare of 2025 so far, an X2.7 event that occurred on Tuesday. X-class flares are the most powerful type of solar flare, and their eruptions can send charged particles toward Earth, leading to geomagnetic storms.

What does this mean for viewing the Northern Lights? Under clear, dark skies, away from light pollution, residents of northern U.S. states along the Canadian border may catch a glimpse of the aurora low on the northern horizon. States where the aurora could be visible include Alaska, northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, northern South Dakota, Minnesota, northern Michigan, Wisconsin, and northern Maine.

While the forecast is promising, there is a caveat. "But as the state braces for another round of severe weather Friday night, with the National Weather Service predicting thunderstorms, the northern lights may not be visible," reports the Detroit Free Press, highlighting the potential for cloudy conditions to obscure the view. However, predictions can change significantly within short periods of time. Keep an eye on updated forecasts!

What Causes the Northern Lights? The aurora borealis is caused by the interaction of the solar wind, a stream of charged particles from the sun, with Earth's magnetic field. These particles collide with gases in the atmosphere, exciting them and causing them to emit light. Oxygen gives off green and red light, while nitrogen glows blue and purple.

Prime Viewing Locations: If conditions are favorable, consider heading to dark sky areas in northern Michigan, such as Keweenaw Dark Sky Park, Dr. T.K. Lawless Park, Rockport State Recreation Area, Thompson's Harbor State Park, Negwegon State Park, Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Great Lakes Museum and Whitefish Point Light Station, Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, or Headlands International Dark Sky Park. In the absence of these scenic spots, use your phone's camera using night mode for capturing beautiful pictures of the Northern Lights!

Forecasters emphasize that space weather is unpredictable, and the aurora forecast can change rapidly. Keep an eye on NOAA's Aurora view line for the latest updates.

Will you be venturing out to try and catch the Northern Lights this weekend? What are your favorite dark sky locations? Share your thoughts and viewing experiences in the comments below!

• NOAA
• Northern Lights
• Solar flare

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