The Northern Lights may be visible in Western Pennsylvania Monday night, but there will be some challenges, how far south it reaches and wildfire smoke.
National Weather Service Meteorologist Andrew Kienzle tells KDKA Radio the forecast calls for a slight chance to see a “faint glow” in the Pittsburgh area.
On a scale of 0 to 9 (9 being the highest chance of seeing the Aurora), Keinzle says Monday’s forecast is a 5, with peaks across Northern Canada. Tuesday’s is a 4.
The way to see the northern light is outside of the metropolitan Pittsburgh area (where there is less light pollution) and to look toward the north.
Timing wise, around midnight will be your best chance to see the Northern Lights.
Even if you can’t see the Aurora borealis with the naked eye, your cell phone camera may be able to pick it up.
“If you have a decent camera, long exposure pictures with your camera work very well,” said Keinzle.
There is another obstacle that will make it difficult to see the light, wildfire smoke blowing in from Canada.
Keinzle says the smoke in the upper atmosphere may dim the lights.
The smoke will continue to come into the Pittsburgh area through Monday and will able visible on Tuesday.
The smoke it not expected to have any impact on air quality, but people with breathing conditions should be extra cautious.
It’s not all bad new with the wildfire smoke though.
Keinzle says the smoke could affect the sunset on Monday night “and could even impact the sunset, making it a little more orange, a little . . . prettier.”
While the smoke will be noticeable, Keinzle says it won’t be anything like the amount of smoke that affected the area two years ago.