Aurora Viewing Possible Again Tonight

Chances for additional aurora viewing will continue into Saturday night and Sunday night as multiple CMEs expected to hit Earth over the next 24 hours.

The Aurora could again be visible near the Canadian border Saturday night, including many areas in Canada (above). According to the Aurora Prediction Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks "Auroral activity will be moderate. Weather permitting, moderate displays will be visible overhead from Inuvik, Yellowknife, Rankin, and Iqaluit to as far south as Whitehorse, Ft. McMurray, James Bay and visible low on the horizon as far south as Prince Rupert, Calgary, Minot, Bemidji, Stevens Point, Traverse City and Quebec City, Canada."

There remains a waning gibbous moon which could contribute to light pollution in viewing the aurora. Additionally, widespread clouds again will be present for much of the area with the opportunity for the aurora, but we could see some peaks of the sky and the northern lights, particularly across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest - don't get discouraged!

So what is the aurora? The Aurora Borealis occurs when charged particles from the sun as a result of coronal mass ejections hit Earth's Magnetic field and interact with the natural gasses, creating ribbons of light. Auroras are not uncommon near the poles, but depending on the strength of the solar storm can make it down to lower latitudes.

Another Aurora looks likely Monday and Tuesday of next week, so stay with WeatherNation for the latest.