Residents across parts of Michigan and several other states in the U.S. may have the opportunity to witness the Northern Lights this week, starting as early as tonight. According to a report by Forbes, coronal mass ejections that occurred over the weekend are predicted to reach Earth and could provide a stunning visual display of the aurora borealis.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a G2 geomagnetic storm watch for Tuesday, but it's possible that the effects could visibly manifest to quickly come into play even on Monday night. A Kp index of four, indicating brighter auroras that could be quite pleasing to look at, was reported by NOAA, particularly if weather conditions are favorable. States in the northern U.S. such as Washington, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Maine, alongside northernmost New York, could all be under the aurora's view line.

In Michigan, the best chances for viewing the Northern Lights will be in the Upper Peninsula, according to insights from the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center reported by FOX 2 Detroit. However, the prospect of overcast skies and showers might obstruct the natural light show, as per the forecast from the National Weather Service in Marquette. Prospective watchers in Michigan are encouraged to stay updated with a 30-minute aurora forecast provided by NOAA.

Meanwhile, solar activity continues to intensify within our current Solar Cycle 25, which began in December 2019. As we approach the cycle's expected peak between late 2024 and early 2026, more geomagnetic storms are anticipated to occur. NOAA predicted 299 sunspots on August 8 – the highest number since at least July 2002, and a strong indication of the sun's heightened activity, as chronicled by MLive. A geomagnetic storm watch window remains open, with any lingering effects into Wednesday expected to taper off into minor storming levels.