Northern Lights Might be Visible Over Illinois Monday

A solar storm Monday night could make it possible for Illinoisans to see Aurora borealis—better known as the Northern Lights.

The strength of the G3 magnetic storm means the aurora might be visible as far south as Oklahoma City and Raleigh, N.C., WGN Radio reports.

Check out the forecast from the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks to see the areas with the best chance of seeing the lights.

Forecast: Auroral activity will be high(++). Weather permitting, highly active auroral displays will be visible overhead from Inuvik, Yellowknife, Rankin and Igaluit, to Portland OR, Cheyenne, Lincoln, Springfield, and New York City, and visible low on the horizon as far south as Carson City, Oklahoma City, and Raleigh.

To increase your chances of seeing the display, move away from city lights, to a dark place with clear skies.

Photo Courtesy of NASA