How strong could northern lights be tonight in Michigan? See outlook

Key Points:

• NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center forecasts that Michigan could experience visible northern lights on the night of Friday, Aug. 28, due to a predicted geomagnetic storm with a Kp index potentially exceeding 5.
• The aurora borealis may be overhead in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and visible throughout northern parts of the state, with minor geomagnetic storm impacts expected and a chance of continued visibility into Saturday.
• Northern lights occur when solar wind interacts with Earth's atmosphere, causing gases like oxygen and nitrogen to emit colorful light displays, with greenish-yellow and red from oxygen and blue from nitrogen.
• Observers are advised to visit dark sky areas with clear, dry conditions for optimal viewing, and using a phone camera in night mode can help capture the aurora if it is difficult to see with the naked eye.
• Weather conditions such as slight rain and cloud cover may affect visibility in parts of northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, according to local National Weather Service forecasts.