This week, Michiganders will have a chance to see one of the planet’s most visually stunning natural phenomena – the northern lights!
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), tomorrow, September 12th, the Northern Light’s visibility line extends as far south as Detroit!
While the chance of seeing the northern lights at the edge of its visibility line is rather low, most of the Upper Peninsula has a realistic opportunity to catch a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis this week!
Where can I see the Northern Lights in Michigan?
The Northern Lights will be most visible in Northern Michigan, so Keweenaw, Houghton, and Chippewa counties will have the best chances to see the full spectrum of Aurora Borealis’ colors.
For the best odds of seeing this natural phenomenon, regardless of your location in Michigan, you’ll want to find a spot with minimal light pollution and a clear unobstructed view of the night sky, like along the shore of Lake Superior.
If you happen to live in the Mitten, or Southern Michigan, like ourselves in Detroit, the best spot to view the Northern Lights will be Wilderness State Park along its northern shores of Lake Michigan!
While this is a four-hour drive from Detroit, it will be an incredible experience to camp out here before Summer officially comes to a close, particularly if it means you get to see the Northern Lights!
That being said, you’ll want to be sure you are prepared for the weather and you follow all local ordinances and guidelines.
What exactly are the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon that occurs when charged particles from the sun interact with gases in Earth’s atmosphere to release energy in the form of light, which results in an incredibly visual display of colors that we
Are the Northern Lights often visible in Michigan?
This depends on your location within Michigan, in the far northern borders of the state, yes, it is not a very rare occurrence to see this incredible natural phenomenon.
That being said, it does not happen regularly so you’ll want to take advantage when the opportunity presents itself!
If you’re not able to travel or if it’s a cloudy night in your area, you can still see the Northern Lights by checking out Explore.org’s online broadcast. This way, no matter where you are in Michigan, you can enjoy the beauty of the Northern Lights from the comfort of your own home!