We watched fireworks over the sky this week to celebrate July 4th. You might see the northern lights next week, maybe even this weekend.
The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, may be visible in the sky over the next few days, and South Dakota is one of 17 states that may be able to see them.
The luminous natural phenomenon will be visible here for the second time this year. A geomagnetic storm at the end of April produced lights that could be seen over 30 states in the United States, including South Dakota, Iowa, and Kansas. More than a dozen states may see them in the sky next Thursday, July 13.
Where might Aurora Borealis at some point show up in South Dakota?
In a lot of the upper half of the state, the northern lights may be visible low in the horizon if the weather is clear on Saturday, July 8, and Sunday, July 9. On Wednesday, July 12, nearly everyone in the state may be able to see the northern lights low in the sky. However, according to a forecast from the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, South Dakotans will have the best chance of seeing the lights above them on Thursday, July 13.
When will the northern lights appear?
According to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, viewing the aurora borealis is best between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. For a better chance of seeing them, those who are interested should get away from city lights and light pollution.
The aurora is brighter the higher the geomagnetic activity. The NOAA will keep an eye on the situation and issue its own forecast as the date of July 13 approaches.
Aurora Borealis in 17 states: Here’s where you could see them one week from now.
Where else can one view the northern lights?
Other states that might see the northern lights next week include:
Gold country
Indiana
Montana
North Dakota
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Michigan
Maine
Maryland
New York
New Hampshire
Washington
Vermont
Idaho
Oregon
Wyoming
When was the last significant northern light even in the U.S.?
The chance of seeing Aurora Borealis comes after a geomagnetic storm, the last being late April, when the aurora borealis sparkled over 30 U.S. states. Lights showed up in pieces of Iowa, North Dakota, Kansas from there, the sky is the limit.
What do the northern lights look like?
The phenomenon of colored lights in the night sky that occurs in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres is known as the northern lights or the aurora borealis.
While they are more regular nearer toward the North and South poles, they have been seen nearer to the Equator. According to the Library of Congress, you can see them by looking in the direction of the closest pole (south in the Southern Hemisphere and north in the Northern Hemisphere).
What is the reason for the northern lights?
The regular peculiarity is generally brought about by sun powered breezes coming from the sun and Earth’s attractive field, as per the NOAA Space Climate Expectation Center.
