northern lights

In case you didn't know, predicting weather is hard. Predicting weather in space is even more difficult. That's why it's with a bit of trepidation I mention that there's a chance that an incoming 'halo CME' could make the Northern Lights visible over Illinois this week.

Predicting when the Northern Lights will be visible is something that even NASA hasn't completely figured out, but there is a forecast regarding 3 incoming solar flares that could mean the Aurora Borealis will not only be visible in Illinois, but maybe even be overhead this weekend. Maybe.

If you call Wisconsin home, you definitely want to keep an eye on the skies Tuesday night as the Northern Lights should be brilliantly on display thanks to an incoming 'cannibal CME' from the sun.

Well, this was more than a little unexpected. The Northern Lights were visible so far south early Monday morning that multiple locations captured video of the sky spectacle.

The viewing area includes almost all of Iowa this time too!

The Northern Lights are a rare occurrence over Missouri and Illinois. That's why I'm always hesitant to mention the possibility as I'd rather not say anything instead of get hopes up and disappoint. However, 3 Earth-directed CME's that will be arriving imminently give our part of America a better-than-average chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis.

We've got a few tips in the story if you want to try to see the Northern Lights tonight.

It's very hard to forecast where the Northern Lights will be visible. Keep that in mind as a new space forecast that shows it's very possible the Aurora Borealis might be visible over parts of Illinois Monday night due to another major solar storm.

There is hype growing that it's likely you'll be able to see a glorious display of the Northern Lights dazzling your eyeballs over Missouri and Illinois this Thursday night. Sorry to be a party pooper, but that doesn't appear likely to happen. At all.

If you missed seeing the Northern Lights on display in Illinois Sunday night, these pictures captured by an 18-year-old NIU student might be the next best thing.