Northern Lights Could Be Visible In Almost All of Michigan This Weekend

The Sun is quite active at the moment, and it's latest coronal mass ejection is laying the smackdown on Earth. And while that sounds scary, it really isn't.

It might slow our internet a bit, and make us drop a few more phone calls, but the most important thing that comes with this solar activity is the beautiful skies in the northern hemisphere. And this time, nearly ALL of Michigan will be able to see these beautiful lights.

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Late Thursday night, a Geomagnetic Storm Watch was issued for Earth, and mainly, that comes with a couple precautions: Possible disturbance to some communication and electrical fields on Earth... and bright Aurora on the poles of our planet.

The Watch is supposed to last through Saturday Night, and the Solar Flare will be crossing Earth's past through the weekend. NOAA is actually saying this is the strongest flare to pass by us since 2017, which means the night sky will be spectacular... if you're in the right place at the right time.

All across Michigan, these bright lights could be visible with the naked eye, but some southern areas might need a little assistance. Scientists, and meteorologists say the Upper Peninsula, and parts of the northern Lower Peninsula could see the aurora borealis with the naked eye. However, the sky has to cooperate. They need to be clear of clouds, and the darker the skies, the better.

As for the rest of Michigan, it's not out of the realm of possibilities that we could see it, but we'll likely need special lenses, and our cameras to pick it up. For those of us further south, taking photos on night mode, or using a long exposure should bring out a pinkish/greenish sky as you look to the north. That should be this round of Northern Lights in Michigan.

It's on my bucket list to see the northern lights at least once in my life, with the naked eye, so a trip during a solar flare to the U.P. is likely in my future... but since I have to work still this week, and I'm saving my PTO for the holidays, for now... I'll just settle with the pinkish-hue in the background of my night shots.