Northern Light possible in Michigan this weekend: When, where to see them

Northern Lights over Mackinac Bridge on May 6, 2018. (Dustin Dilworth/D3 Imagery)

Michiganders could catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights this weekend.

The Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a G1 geomagnetic storm watch for Aug. 31, which means the Aurora Borealis could dip into Michigan. There's a G2 watch for Sept. 1.

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So, the best shot is Saturday night or early Sunday. The forecast has almost all of Michigan in play.

Northern Lights are seen in Northern Michigan much more often than Lower Michigan, although it isn't unheard-of. Weather is always a factor. Keep an eye on the latest here.

Related: Watch the Northern Lights dance above Michigan's Mackinac Bridge

What are the Northern Lights?

The bright dancing lights of the aurora are actually collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth's atmosphere. The lights are seen above the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemispheres.

They are known as 'Aurora borealis' in the north and 'Aurora Australis' in the south.. Auroral displays appear in many colors although pale green and pink are the most common. Shades of red, yellow, green, blue, and violet have been reported.

The lights appear in many forms from patches or scattered clouds of light to streamers, arcs, rippling curtains or shooting rays that light up the sky with an eerie glow.


About the Author:

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.