NewsNational News

Actions

Northern lights potentially visible in West Michigan this Halloween weekend

Significant solar flare generates northern lights potential
Northern Lights over Michigan.jpeg
Posted at 6:01 PM, Oct 29, 2021
and last updated 2021-10-29 19:33:31-04

WEST MICHIGAN — West Michigan has a decent seat to potentially see northern lights this Halloween weekend!

The Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a Strong Geomagnetic Storm Watch for Oct. 30 through Oct. 31. This watch has been posted due to a significant solar flare and Coronal Mass Ejection from the sun that occurred in the late morning on Oct. 28.

The significant solar flare is expected to reach the Earth this weekend, generating the possibility of northern lights. The Space Weather Prediction Center has posted a level G3 Geomagnetic Storm Watch, which is considered strong. This is on a scale from G1 up to G5.

Geomagnetic Storm Scale.jpeg

The latest forecast shows the possibility of northern lights being visible to the naked eye as south as Illinois and Oregon, according to SpaceWeather.com. The only factor working against West Michigan is the cloud cover. Clouds are anticipated Saturday and Sunday, but there will be a few breaks.

For your latest viewing forecast, stay tuned with FOX 17.

Follow FOX 17: Facebook - Twitter - Instagram - YouTube