NW WISCONSIN, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Be sure to step outside and take a look up at the sky this weekend, because you could catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
A very active sun has produced five X-Class solar flares over the last 48 hours. These solar flares are earth facing and will likely lead to the development of the aurora borealis off and on throughout the weekend.
The Space Weather Prediction Center is forecasting a Kp Index reaching 8 on Friday and reaching 6 on Saturday. The Kp scale goes up to 9, and typically we need a 5 or 6 to be able to see the northern lights in Wisconsin.
Each one of these solar flares originated from a large and active sunspot, and the eruption has directed a large cloud of solar plasma toward earth. The plasma and solar wind interact with the Earth’s magnetic field which leads to the northern lights.
When the Kp Index is in the range of 8 to 9, the aurora will move towards the equator and it will become very bright and very active. These strong solar events create the best aurora viewing.
At these levels, auroras may be seen directly overhead from the northern states of the USA.
Weather will be cooperative for the most part. I am expecting rain showers to pass through during the evening on Friday, but skies will likely turn partly cloudy by midnight.
Saturday night will have more favorable weather with mostly clear skies, but the stronger auroras do look to be on Friday night.
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