Have you ever seen the Northern Lights? They are on my 'bucket list', so this rare magnetic storm coming has me very excited.

Illinois Can Catch a Glimpse of the Northern Lights This Week
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The Northern Lights aka Aurora Borealis, are rarely viewable from our area. However, this week there is an Aurora Storm Watch which means they may be viewable from Illinois, according to mystateline.com.

A high speed solar wind stream heading towards Earth from the sun added in with the right conditions could make this possible.

This magnetic solar storm arranged a colourful show of Aurora Borealis in the night skies of Hyvinka in Southern Finland in the early morning of October 31st, 2003.

Illinois Can Catch a Glimpse of the Northern Lights This Week
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So when will this phenomenon occur? It starts on Wednesday at 7 p.m. and will last for 24 hours. What are the perfect conditions? A clear night sky. Which just happens to be what the weather prediction is for Wednesday night. In order to see them though, you need to get away from the city limits. Drive north, maybe even into Wisconsin. Now the storm won't necessarily hit right at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. It could come any time in that 24 hour period. So you might have to be a little patient, but this kind of rare beauty is worth the wait.

Illinois Can Catch a Glimpse of the Northern Lights This Week
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Date night anyone?

Maybe Thursday is a good day to be 'sick' (cough ;) cough). So here are your plans Wednesday night. Throw on some warm clothes, grab a blanket, some hot cocoa with Bailey's, and some binoculars. Steal your guy or girl for the night and head for a drive into the country. Find a field in the middle of nowhere and set up your perfect spot. Get all snuggled in and stare at the sky. Hopefully you will see these amazing lights in all of their glory. While your waiting, I'm sure you can think of some other activities to keep yourself occupied (and warm).

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