KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Northern Lights (aurora borealis) will make an appearance in tonight's sky for many Midwesterners.
Unfortunately for us, the lights will not make it as far south as Kansas and Missouri. But if you have family or friends in Nebraska, Iowa or Illinois and points north, spread the word.
A massive amount of energy ejected from the Sun on Monday, Dec. 7, is expected to arrive on Earth from Dec. 9 to Dec. 11.
The explosion of plasma from the Sun's surface will interact with the Earth's magnetic field over the next two nights and produce the magnificent colors dancing in the sky, or what are the Northern Lights.
The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) is forecasting a "KP" level of 7 and has issued a "G3" watch. Or in other words, this is a category three geomagnetic storm and may cause the aurora borealis to extend as far south as the Pacific Northwest, Northern Plains, Great Lakes and into New England.
Cities like Seattle, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Detroit and Boston are in the best viewing region to see the light show.
As a category three geomagnetic storm, the lights may be visible on the horizon for places as far south as northern Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois. The northern Midwest and Great Lake States will have a prime viewing tonight due to a clear sky in place.
The SWPC says the best time to try and view the aurora borealis will be from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. away from city lights and in an open space with a good view of the northern horizon.
