Northern Lights May Appear in 20 U.S. States, Including Michigan
On Thursday night, residents across up to 20 states, including Michigan, could witness a strong display of the northern lights, weather permitting. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expects the aurora to be visible beginning late Thursday night, November 6, extending into the early morning of Friday, November 7.
Viewing Details for Michigan
In Michigan, the lights could be seen overhead as far south as Traverse City, Gaylord, and Alpena. The northern horizon view line may stretch to northern Ohio and Indiana, making the phenomenon visible slightly farther south than usual.
Cause and Forecast
The display is the result of a moderate geomagnetic storm triggered by solar eruptions earlier this week. These solar events sent charged particles toward Earth, interacting with its magnetic field.
“NOAA predicts a G3 geomagnetic storm, a worldwide disturbance of Earth's magnetic field, expected to produce a Kp index of 7.”
The Kp index measures the intensity of geomagnetic disturbances on a scale from 0 to 9. Typically, a Kp of 5 or above suggests the northern lights can be seen in Michigan.
Additional Viewing Opportunities
The northern lights may also be visible again on Friday night, November 7, depending on the geomagnetic activity and weather conditions.
“The lights could be seen a bit farther south than usual due to the moderate geomagnetic storm caused by solar eruptions earlier this week.”
Summary: This week presents a rare chance for viewers in Michigan and surrounding states to experience the northern lights due to increased solar activity and a strong geomagnetic storm.