Editor's note: Since this story was published, the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska updated its forecast and said the northern lights won't be visible in the mainland U.S. as previously thought. Learn about the update to this story from NPR here.
Sky watchers are in for a treat this week as officials say the northern lights will be visible to a large part of Michigan.
That’s according to the aurora forecast from the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska. They say as many as 16 states will get a chance to view the lights.
Auroral activity is measured on a geomagnetic index known as K-P on a scale from zero to nine. The solar storm forecast for Thursday has a K-P index of 6.
That means if the sky is clear, residents in northern Michigan, as far south as Bay City, could catch a glimpse of the lights.
The Space Weather Prediction Center says the best time to view the Auroras is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.