Northern Lights may light up Midwest skies Monday Night

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Get ready! You may be able to spot the Northern Lights on Monday night across the Midwest!

Over the weekend, the sun released a burst of energy known as a Coronal Mass Ejection, or CME. This energy travels through space, and when directed at Earth, it interacts with the planet’s magnetic field, causing the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights.

The Space Weather Prediction Center has issued G2-G3 Storm Watches for Sept. 1-2. A strong geomagnetic storm is possible, which may lead to the northern lights being visible further south than normal.

According to the Space Weather Prediction Center, a Geomagnetic Storm is a larger disturbance in the Earth’s magnetic field. They can vary in intensity between lower levels and strong storm conditions, lasting a few hours to more than a day.

The more energy that is released can lead to more disruptions in the magnetic field, making the Northern Lights visible. If the energy is strong enough, it can lead to more vibrant displays and the lights being visible further south than normal.

For those in Ohio, right now, the Northern Lights may be visible low on the horizon, but it will greatly depend on how strong the energy from the sun is and the timing of when it reaches the Earth. The best chance will be Monday night after 10 p.m.

If the Northern Lights are visible and you want to check them out, get away from city lights and allow your eyes time to adjust to the darkness. Avoid looking at your phone’s bright screen as your eyes need to adjust to the darkness to be able to see it.

And if they are visible anytime for Ohio, your 10 Weather Impact team will have the latest updates!