News, Culture and NPR for Central & Northern Michigan
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
91.7FM Alpena and WCML-TV Channel 6 Alpena are off the air. Click here to learn more.

Northern lights should be visible across Michigan this weekend

Nick Russill
/
https://flic.kr/p/ehTX6

An explosion of energy on the surface of the Sun is expected to reach Earth tonight, making northern lights visible across the state.

Officials with the Space Weather Prediction Center say the explosion of energy took place on Wednesday. It should arrive late tonight and could last through Saturday evening.

Mike Kurz is a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Gaylord.

“We’re looking at a pretty good potential across much of the state of Michigan even down to the southern state line for that extent of maybe possibly seeing the Northern lights tonight.”

Kurz said he advises people to find a spot away from city light pollution if you’re trying to see the northern lights.

“The good news is the weather looks to cooperate. We’re not going to have many clouds as we head through this evening. Most of those should diminish across the area. We’re looking at pretty clear skies for tonight and early Saturday as well.”

Kurz said he advises people to find a spot away from city light pollution if they are trying to see the Northern lights.

And, he said, the further North you are the better chance you have of seeing the lights.