ST. LOUIS — UPDATE: The Space Weather Prediction Center has updated the forecast and decreased the chances of enough energy to produce an aurora for Wednesday night in our area. The energy levels are now forecast to be highest between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday, which would limit much of the visible aurora due to sunlight. Space weather is as fickle as Missouri and Illinois surface weather.
Earlier story:
The northern horizon in Missouri and Illinois may take on a green color as particles from a solar storm interact with the upper atmosphere. The peak of the solar radiation is expected to reach Earth this evening into Thursday, just after sunset.
The Aurora Borealis may be visible as far south as northern North Carolina all the way to northern California.
In cities farther north, like New York and Seattle, the light show may be overhead. Farther south, if visible, it will be closer to the northern horizon.
Earlier this week, a Coronal Mass Ejection occurred on the sun. This is essentially a solar storm where the sun burps out a giant bubble of plasma and electrified gas that travels through space at high speed.
If a solar storm comes toward Earth, some of the energy and small particles can travel down the magnetic field lines at the north and south poles into Earth’s atmosphere. It's these particles that interact with gases in our atmosphere resulting quite the light show in the night sky. Oxygen gives off green and red light. Nitrogen glows blue and purple.
While fairly common near the North or South Pole, farther south, the chances tend to be limited to stronger solar storms. If the solar storm is strong enough, the Northern Lights may be visible as far south as Missouri and Illinois.
That chance exists as a result of Monday's CME from the Sun. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center says the impact from the Sun's energy will arrive sometime between tonight into early Friday.
Check the weather: 5 On Your Side forecast
The best place to try and see the Northern Lights will be away from urban areas where light pollution diminishes the view. Of course, a clear or mostly clear sky is best for viewing. Skies across Missouri and Illinois will be clear tonight and the prime time for viewing is 9 p.m. through midnight. Clouds on the increase later Thursday night and the chances to see the Aurora seem to be lower due to a weakening solar energy field.
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