A strong solar flare will likely blast enough solar energy into our atmosphere to produce widespread northern lights in the coming days.

NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has issued a Geomagnetic Storm Watch for October 3 to 5.

SWPC says a strong solar flare occurred late on October 1. The energy from this solar flare should be strong enough to produce widespread northern lights across the northern third of the US.

The forecast below shows the expected Kp index in three-hour intervals, from 8:00 PM tonight to 8:00 PM on Saturday, October 5. A Kp index of 6 or higher usually produces vivid northern lights at least as far south as the dark sky areas of southern Michigan.

There are two periods that are expected to have a Kp index of 6 or higher. The first period of possible Northern Lights starts at 8pm tonight, October 3, until 2am Friday, October 4. It is then predicted that a second period will have a Kp Index as high as 7, starting on dark Friday evening and continuing until 2am Saturday. .

Please note that these times are not as accurate as a daily weather forecast. The times are only general guidelines for when the Northern Lights might be visible.

The weather should cooperate greatly. We expect clear skies across Michigan Thursday evening and Friday evening.

Taking a nap this afternoon and Friday afternoon. Then plan to go to a very dark place with a view of the north tonight and Friday evening.

If you can get to a high location and look north, you’ll be in a great place to see the Northern Lights.

In Lower Michigan, there are several large areas that generally offer the best viewing of the Northern Lights. The southernmost location is the tip of Michigan’s Thumb. This area gives you a great view of the darkness of Lake Huron. Northwest Lower Michigan has many high spots overlooking northern Lake Michigan. Of course, Lower Michigan’s northeastern coastline has another great view, high above an unobstructed view of dark Lake Huron.

If you want to stay in southern Lower Michigan and still see the Northern Lights, you will have to go to a very dark rural area. You will also need to be in a treeless area and hopefully at the top of a hill.

If you stay in a city, you won’t be able to see the Northern Lights due to too much city light.

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