The Northern Lights, or auroras, are caused when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth's magnetic field, creating vibrant and wavy colors in the sky. Chicago may have another chance to witness this dazzling display tonight, Friday, October 11—if the clouds cooperate.
NBC 5 Meteorologist Pete Sack noted, "Hopefully, we can keep some of these clouds at bay after sunset," as the forecast predicts cloud cover for Friday afternoon into the evening.
The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have issued a "severe" geomagnetic storm watch for Friday. This same watch was in effect Thursday, allowing the aurora to be seen much farther south than usual.
Such geomagnetic storm watches are rare and are typically enhanced when coronal mass ejections (CMEs) occur on the sun. These eruptions send plasma and magnetized particles toward Earth, triggering geomagnetic storms as they hit the atmosphere.
Viewing the Northern Lights
Auroras can typically be observed just after sunset or before sunrise. Though they are more common in Arctic regions, they can sometimes be seen much farther south during strong geomagnetic activity, such as Thursday's display. For Friday, the SWPC predicts auroras may be visible over much of the northern U.S., potentially reaching as far south as Alabama.
In Illinois, areas in the northern and central parts of the state fall within the "viewline," meaning residents may be able to catch the lights on the northern horizon, weather permitting. Though visible to the naked eye, auroras often appear even brighter in photographs taken with digital cameras.
If you missed Thursday's show, keep an eye on the sky tonight for another possible appearance of the Northern Lights.
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