EXPLAINER: Why we saw Northern Lights in western Massachusetts

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Monday night’s meteor shower was accompanied by some Northern Lights once again. And The 22News Storm Team is working for you to explain why we see them and when we can see them next.

Auroras are caused by solar winds interacting with the earth’s atmosphere. We can see them here in the Pioneer Valley when activity on the sun is exceptionally high.

The sun has shot out at least five strong solar flares since Saturday containing clouds of high-energy plasma that can interfere with power grids and scramble GPS signals, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. But no major communication problems have been reported so far, says NOAA spokesperson Erica Grow-Cei.

Unusually strong solar storms in May produced jaw-dropping aurora displays across the Northern Hemisphere. Grow-Cei said this event that produced light shows over the weekend will likely be shorter, but may still produce faint auroras as far south in the U.S. as Alabama and Northern California on Monday night.

You may even see them tonight.

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