Northern Lights Visible Across 20 U.S. States
Up to 20 U.S. states may get a chance to view the northern lights late Thursday, November 6, through the early morning of Friday, November 7, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The display could appear again on Friday night if conditions remain favorable.
Best Viewing Regions
In Michigan, residents could see a vivid aurora overhead as far south as Traverse City, Gaylord, and Alpena. Those farther south, including northern Ohio and Indiana, might catch the glow low on the northern horizon.
What Causes the Event
NOAA forecasts a moderate geomagnetic storm, identified as a G3 event, resulting from solar eruptions that released charged particles toward Earth earlier in the week. This allows the aurora to reach farther south than usual.
NOAA stated that "a G3 geomagnetic storm, a worldwide disturbance of Earth's magnetic field, is expected to produce a Kp index of 7."
The Kp index measures the intensity of global magnetic disturbances on a scale from 0 to 9. A reading of 5 or higher typically means the northern lights could be visible across Michigan.
When to Look
- Thursday night, November 6 – best viewing after midnight.
- Friday night, November 7 – possible second display if storm conditions continue.
Quick Viewing Tips
- Find dark skies away from city lights.
- Look to the north for faint glows or dancing colors.
- Check real-time aurora forecasts from reliable weather sources.
Author’s summary: NOAA expects a G3 geomagnetic storm this week, giving much of the northern U.S., especially Michigan, a rare chance to see the northern lights under clear night skies.