Northern Lights Could Light Up Midwest Skies Monday Night
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The northern lights may shine across the Midwest on Monday night, offering a rare glow for skywatchers in Ohio and neighboring states.
Over the weekend, a coronal mass ejection from the sun sent energy racing toward Earth. When this energy interacts with the planet’s magnetic field, it can spark auroras, commonly known as the Northern Lights.
The Space Weather Prediction Center has issued geomagnetic storm watches at levels from G2 to G3 for September 1-2. A stronger-than-usual geomagnetic storm could occur, which would allow the aurora to be visible farther south than usual.
Geomagnetic storms are disturbances in Earth’s magnetic field caused by solar activity. They vary in strength and can last anywhere from a few hours to more than a day. More energetic solar activity can lead to brighter displays and push visibility farther toward the south.
For Ohio residents, whether you’ll actually see the lights depends on how strong the solar energy is and exactly when it reaches Earth. The best chance to view the aurora is Monday night after 10 p.m., with observers potentially seeing the lights low on the horizon. Visibility will depend on local weather conditions and how dark the sky is.
Viewing tips: head to a dark area away from city lights, give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness, and avoid scrolling on bright phone screens so your night vision isn’t compromised.
If viewing in person isn’t possible, you may still catch updates or coverage from local weather services or online streams.
Summary: A CME recent enough to cause geomagnetic activity could produce a visible aurora across the Midwest Monday night, especially after 10 p.m. Viewers should seek dark skies and be patient, as cloud cover and timing will affect visibility. A hopeful note for skywatchers is that clear, dark conditions could yield a striking celestial display.