Northern Lights Possible This Week In WA, If The Clouds Clear

SEATTLE — Parts of Western Washington may be able to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights this week, but lingering clouds in the forecast could make them tricky to spot.

The Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a moderate geomagnetic storm watch, with peak intensity expected Wednesday evening into Thursday morning. The storm, classified as a "G2" on the Space Weather Prediction Center's five-point scale, is the product of a coronal mass ejection from the sun on Monday.

"Initial analyses and model guidance suggests a portion of the CME will arrive during the late evening of 30 March into early morning of 31 March (EDT)," the agency wrote Monday. "Forecast confidence of an Earth-directed component is moderate, while there is less confidence in timing and intensity."

Despite being only moderate strength, a G2 storm can pack just enough magnitude to make the Northern Lights visible around the Seattle region. A similar event lent to a visible aurora in October, but the weather this time around appears less likely to cooperate.

While the latest forecasts show some breaks in the clouds arriving Thursday, Wednesday is likely to see rain, and the gray skies could persist into the evening. Should the clouds part in the nick of time, the best chance for viewing will be away from city lights and in areas with a clear view of the northern horizon. A camera with a long exposure might have better luck picking up the lights than the naked eye.

The Space Weather Prediction Center will post updates on its website.