Forecast Good For Northern Lights Over Minnesota and South Dakota

The northern lights, or aurora borealis, may soon grace the skies over Minnesota and South Dakota!

The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center is forecasting favorable conditions for the Northern Lights over Minnesota and South Dakota.

This celestial spectacle is expected to be visible in the northern United States including Minnesota and South Dakota due to increased solar activity.

Experts predict that a recent solar flare will cause a geomagnetic storm, potentially pushing the aurora's visibility further south than usual.

NOAA Space Weather is saying periods of G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storms are likely late on Monday, July 29.

Periods of G3 (Strong) storming are likely on Tuesday, July 30 with G2 (Moderate) storm periods likely on Wednesday, July 31.

The aurora occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth's atmosphere, creating a stunning display of colorful lights dancing across the night sky.

While common in places like Alaska and northern Canada, it's a rarer treat for residents of the lower 48 states.

This presents an exciting opportunity for stargazers and photographers in Minnesota and South Dakota to witness this natural phenomenon.

To maximize chances of seeing the northern lights, observers should seek areas away from city lights, with clear skies and an unobstructed view of the northern horizon.

The best viewing times are typically between 10 PM and 2 AM local time.