Michiganders May Be Able To See Northern Lights This Week

MICHIGAN — Michiganders may be able to see the northern lights over the next couple nights, the National Weather Service Gaylord said.

Meteorologists said recent solar activity might give Michiganders a view of the Aurora Borealis starting Wednesday night through Friday.

To see the aurora, meteorologists say look to the northern sky where the lights will likely be visible near the horizon, but higher in the sky the farther north you go. In other words, the farther north you go, where there's less light pollution, makes for a better chance to see them.

Although northern Michigan is typically the best place for Michiganders to see the phenomenon, the lights may reach as far south as Ohio and Pennsylvania, meaning residents in the lower portions of the state may be able see them too, the National Weather Service Gaylord said.

Most of the state should have a decent shot at seeing the lights over the next couple nights, as no widespread showers or storms were expected to cross the state, the National Weather Service said.

Some portions of the state, including the metro Detroit area, may see lingering clouds during the nighttime hours, but other areas of the state, especially the center, were expected to be very clear nights, the National Weather Service said.

Meteorologists said to look for greenish streaks that shift and change (unlike high clouds, which move steadily in one direction. The strong solar activity may also interfere with electronic communications such as radios, cell phones, TVs and satellites, the National Weather Service warned.

As gorgeous as the northern lights are, they're actually a culmination of a rather violent event, as energized particles from the sun slam into Earth's upper atmosphere at speeds of up to 45 million mph (72 million kph). Earth's magnetic field then redirects the particles toward its poles, creating the dazzling light show.