SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) — Meteorologists said a powerful magnetic storm making its way towards Earth may make a rare display of the Northern Lights visible in the Metro Detroit area on Thursday — if the weather holds up.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the sun released a burst of magnetic particles and plasma on March 28 and the charged particles from this blast are expected to reach Earth's atmosphere after sundown on March 30.
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Cranbrook Astronomer Michael Narlock explained to WWJ"s Sandra McNeill that those charged particles take about three days to come into contract with Earth's magnetic field, where they light up the sky in brilliant colors of green, blue and yellow that make up the Northern Lights.
"We can witness something happen on the Sun and then it gives us a wonderful little lead time to prepare ourselves for the possibility of a seeing quite a spectacular show," Narlock said.
NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center said the moderately ranked geostorm will make the famous Aurora Borealis visible as low as New York to Wisconsin to Washington state, to include Michigan, if the weather holds up.
According to Narlock, the best time to see the Northern Lights in the Mitten State will be Thursday through Saturday between 11 p.m. and midnight.
The Aurora Borealis is gauged on a scientific scale that depicts geomagnetic activity using the measurements KP; the measurement is also used by NOAA to assign where the lights can be seen in the world.
The KP levels issued for Michigan range between a 5 and 7, which means the solar storm will make the Northern Lights visible from the Metro Detroit area at certain times.
Seeing the Northern Lights will greatly depend on the weather. AccuWeather Meteorologist Dean Devore said there is a chance for cloud cover on Thursday, which could inhibit viewing. Humidity and light pollution will also determine how well Metro Detroiters can see the Northern Lights.
Fox 2 said residents in Southeast Michigan may need to reach northern locations of Oakland County for the best viewing experience.
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