A powerful solar storm is expected to illuminate the skies with the mesmerizing northern lights in Michigan.

The aurora borealis graces the skies year-round, yet April stands out as a prime time for this celestial spectacle to reach its peak activity. (Image: Shutterstock)

• Residents of Michigan may have the opportunity to witness the northern lights on Friday night. Typically, this captivating light show is confined to the northern regions of the state. However, due to a geomagnetic storm triggered by a coronal mass ejection from the sun, the spectacle may extend to lower latitudes.
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• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a severe geomagnetic storm watch on Thursday, marking the first G4 alert since 2005. This storm was expected to impact Earth's magnetic field on Friday and persist through the weekend.
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• In an update on Friday evening, NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center reported extreme G5 conditions, a rarity not seen since 2003. Geomagnetic storms result from disturbances in Earth's magnetosphere caused by solar winds. Severe storms often follow coronal mass ejections, during which the sun expels vast amounts of plasma and magnetic fields. NOAA noted the observation of at least five "earth-directed" coronal mass ejections along with several strong solar flares associated with a sizable and magnetically complex sunspot cluster.
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• Since the onset of the solar cycle in 2019, only three severe geomagnetic storms have occurred. Such storms can lead to widespread disruptions in power grids, spacecraft, and radio communications.
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• The impending solar storm could induce unexpected electrical currents, warned Robert Steenburg, a space scientist at the Space Weather Prediction Center. The center's role is to alert operators of various systems to mitigate potential impacts.
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• The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are renowned for their mesmerizing display typically visible closer to the poles. However, geomagnetic storms can push their visibility further towards the equator, depending on the storm's intensity.
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• The phenomenon is anticipated to commence late Friday into early Saturday, with visibility extending as far south as Alabama due to the severity of the storm. While the optimal viewing hours are after 10 p.m., experts suggest waiting until after midnight for the best chance of witnessing the spectacle.
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• Michigan's Upper Peninsula offers an ideal vantage point for observing the aurora borealis, particularly due to its high northern latitudes and unobstructed views from the southern coast of Lake Superior. While April, October, and November are peak viewing times, the northern lights can occur year-round.
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• As summer progresses, there may still be opportunities to witness the northern lights, albeit requiring favorable conditions such as clear skies and dark nights, along with monitoring meteorological forecasts and a bit of luck. NOAA provides a 30-minute forecast for optimal viewing times, while various apps can also assist in predicting visibility.
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• Editor's note: This article was updated on May 10 to incorporate new information from the Space Weather Prediction Center.

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