Rare Chance to Witness Northern Lights in Indiana and Kentucky Amid Geomagnetic Storm

Takeaways:

• The northern lights, or aurora borealis, may be visible in Indiana and Kentucky this weekend, specifically late on Friday, May 10, or early Saturday, May 11.

• A strong geomagnetic storm could make the lights visible as far south as Alabama and northern California, although the likelihood of seeing them in the Louisville area is low.

• The aurora is caused by a coronal mass ejection, and at least five such events have been observed, potentially leading to unusual sightings of the northern lights.

• The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a G4 Geomagnetic Watch, the first since January 2005, with G5 being the highest level, last seen in 2003.

• Visibility of the northern lights will be affected by local weather conditions, with clear skies on Friday night giving way to increasing clouds early Saturday morning; it is recommended to view the lights away from city lights for a better chance of seeing them.

References:

[1] Northern Lights could be visible in Indiana, Kentucky. Link

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