Wisconsin residents may have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the northern lights on Thursday evening, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
NOAA reports that particles from a coronal mass ejection are expected to reach Earth and interact with the planet’s magnetic field, resulting in the appearance of the northern lights.
National Weather Service meteorologist Benny VanCleve mentioned that cloudy skies are moving in overnight Thursday and into Friday morning, which could make it more challenging, but not impossible, to see the northern lights.
To monitor the most current predictions, you can use the NOAA aurora forecast tool, which offers a forecast every 30 minutes. You can also find a tool on the Milwaukee Astronomical Society website at www.milwaukeeastro.org.
Tips for Viewing the Northern Lights
RELATED: For the best Northern Lights viewing in Wisconsin, try these places
If the Northern Lights are in the forecast, observatory director Gene Hanson from the Milwaukee Astronomical Society has some viewing tips:
-
Head north: The Northern Lights are best seen farther north. “Even 60 miles north can make a tremendous difference,” Hanson says.
-
Look for the horizon: The northern horizon, specifically. The unobstructed view to the north will provide the best visibility. The more north you can see, the more of the lights you could see.
-
Move away from the light: Light pollution can hinder visibility, so find a rural area with minimal light pollution for the best viewing.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Northern Lights could be visible in Wisconsin
