A severe geomagnetic storm is expected to make the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, visible in Michigan Thursday night.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts that the strong solar radiation from the storm could offer a rare opportunity for Michiganders to witness this dazzling natural display.
The aurora borealis is expected to be visible throughout Canada and seven U.S. states along the Canadian border, including Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Due to the strength of the storm, the view line for the northern lights is expected to extend farther into the U.S., providing “very bright” auroras that will likely die down by Friday.
In May, the aurora borealis lit up the skies across Michigan, including in the Detroit area.
According to NOAA, the best time to catch the northern lights is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. To get the clearest view, viewers should travel as far north as possible to avoid light pollution, though the lights may be visible throughout Michigan.
In 2025, geomagnetic storms similar to this one are likely to become more frequent, according to NASA. As a result, the northern lights are expected to be more active in the coming years, creating even more opportunities to witness this rare phenomenon.
