Northern lights in Wisconsin tonight? Aurora Borealis is possible on Friday

The Northern Lights captivated sky watchers across the state on Thursday evening, and Wisconsin residents should be able to catch another glimpse of the colors on Friday evening.

Following a burst of solar material early Tuesday, the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center issued a severe geomagnetic storm warning for Thursday through early Saturday. Watches of this level are very rare. According to NOAA, strong geomagnetic storms can impact infrastructure and potentially disrupt communications, power grids, navigation, radio and satellite operations. Under these conditions, the Northern Lights could be seen as far away as Alabama and Northern California.

Thursday night's light show was so vivid that NOAA issued a rare G4 geomagnetic storm watch for the second time this year. According to the National Weather Service, cloudy skies Friday evening could make viewing the Northern Lights more difficult than Thursday evening.

Here's what you should know:

When can I see the Northern Lights in Wisconsin?

When the Northern Lights are active, the best time to see them is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m

Outside variables such as the weather and the precise trajectory of the solar flare, which can change during its 93 million mile journey to Earth, could affect the reliability of the forecast.

For the most up-to-date viewing forecast, you can use the NOAA Aurora forecast tool, which has a 30-minute forecast window. You can get the latest weather forecast through the National Weather Service.

What causes the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are a natural light display in Earth's sky that are known to be best seen in high latitude regions of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

The phenomenon occurs when electrically charged particles from space enter Earth's atmosphere and collide with molecules and gases such as oxygen and nitrogen, causing the atmospheric particles to gain energy. To return to their normal state, the particles release this energy in the form of light, according to the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska at Fairbanks website, which tracks the phenomenon.

As auroras form, the Earth's magnetic field redirects the particles toward the poles through a process that creates a breathtaking display of rays, spirals and flickers that has fascinated humans for millennia. Whether greens, reds, blues and pinks dance in the sky depends on the altitude at which the collisions occur, as well as the composition and density of the atmosphere at that time.

Are the Northern Lights becoming more common?

This isn't the first time people across Wisconsin have caught a glimpse of the Northern Lights this year. In May, a powerful geomagnetic storm sparked spectacular views of the Northern Lights in areas of the U.S. where the Northern Lights are rarely visible, including here in Milwaukee.

As the Sun approaches the peak of its 11-year cycle in 2025, people around the world can expect more frequent and brighter Northern Lights activity due to increased electromagnetic activity.

The Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Wisconsin

Here is a list of places in Wisconsin that might offer some of the best views of the night sky:

Northern lights in Wisconsin tonight? Aurora Borealis is possible on Friday

ByVanessa

When can I see the Northern Lights in Wisconsin?

What causes the Northern Lights?

Are the Northern Lights becoming more common?

The Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Wisconsin

By Vanessa

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