Potential Aurora Borealis: There’s a slight chance to see the northern lights on Saturday night, with the potential arrival of a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun, which could cause a minor geomagnetic storm.
Geomagnetic Storm Details: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a G1 (Minor) or greater geomagnetic storm on January 25, caused by solar activity from the sun’s coronal mass ejection on January 22.
K Index Predictions: The “K Index,” which measures the strength of the geomagnetic storm, is predicted to be 4.0 on Friday and up to 5.33 on Saturday. A Kp of 5.0 could make the aurora visible as far south as the Upper Peninsula or northern Lower Peninsula.
Cloud Coverage Impact: Despite the minor solar storm, cloud coverage is expected in Northern Michigan, particularly on Saturday, which could hinder visibility of the aurora.
Best Viewing Times: If the aurora is visible, the best viewing times are between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., offering a small window of opportunity for potential sightings.
Location for Viewing: Keweenaw Dark Sky Park in the Upper Peninsula is suggested as a prime location to view the northern lights. However, any dark, clear spot away from city lights will work.
Aurora Formation: The northern lights are caused by charged particles from the sun’s atmosphere interacting with Earth's magnetic field.