Northern Lights Expected to Dazzle Michigan Residents This Week

DETROIT, Mich. – Michiganders across the central and northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula are set to witness the northern lights, or aurora borealis, Tuesday night, Sept. 30, according to a forecast from NOAA‘s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC).

The SWPC indicates that people in as many as 14 states, including Michigan, may catch glimpses of the glowing lights in the night sky. Those in cities like Saginaw, Grand Rapids, and Port Austin may get lucky as the lights travel overhead.

Local weather forecasts predict a mix of clear and cloudy skies in central and northern Michigan, which could affect visibility. Experts recommend seeking out dark, open areas away from city lights to improve viewing chances.

NOAA expects a G1 geomagnetic storm, which is a disturbance of the Earth’s magnetic field, leading to a Kp index of 5. The Kp index is a scale that ranges from 0 to 9 to measure geomagnetic activity. A reading of 5 or above usually indicates potential visibility of the northern lights across Michigan.

This stunning natural phenomenon occurs when solar wind interacts with the Earth’s atmosphere, creating displays of light that paint the night sky in various colors, including greens, pinks, and reds. The characteristics of the aurora’s color depend on which atmospheric gases are excited by solar particles; for example, oxygen contributes to green and red hues while nitrogen emits blue.

NOAA’s detailed forecast shows that the red line on the map denotes the southernmost regions where the aurora may be viewed from the northern horizon. This includes parts of Michigan from mid to northern areas, along with the Upper Peninsula.

To improve your chances of capturing the northern lights, experts suggest using a smartphone’s night mode and holding still for the best shots. For optimal viewing, head to rural regions of Michigan, which is home to six designated state parks, three international dark sky parks, and an international dark sky sanctuary.

For more information, keep an eye on local forecasts and head out to embrace the magic of the night sky.