Will the Northern Lights Be Visible Again Tonight? Latest Update for the Chicago Area

Will the Northern Lights be visible in the Chicago area tonight 

                                 Northern lights spotted over Chicago  Image credit: FOX 32

Residents of the Chicago area may have another chance to witness the stunning Northern Lights on Friday, Oct. 11, provided that the cloudy skies clear in time. The phenomenon, which was visible further south than usual on Thursday night, could once again light up the sky if weather conditions cooperate.

NBC 5 Meteorologist Pete Sack noted, "Hopefully we can keep some of these clouds at bay after sunset," as the forecast calls for cloud coverage throughout Friday afternoon and into the evening hours.

Geomagnetic Storm Watch Still in Effect

The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have issued another "severe" geomagnetic storm watch for Friday. This same alert was in place on Thursday, allowing the Northern Lights to be seen in areas far beyond their typical range.

"Watches at this level are very rare," the agency emphasized, signaling just how unusual and significant this event is.

How the Northern Lights Are Created

The vibrant auroras are intensified when coronal mass ejections (CMEs) erupt from the sun and travel across space before interacting with Earth's atmosphere. CMEs are described by the SWPC as "large explosions of plasma and magnetized particles from the Sun’s corona." As these ejections approach Earth, they expand and can trigger geomagnetic storms upon arrival.

According to the SWPC, auroras are best observed just after sunset or before sunrise. They cannot be seen during the daytime and don't need to be directly overhead—if bright enough, they can be spotted near the horizon.

"For many, the aurora is a breathtaking nighttime spectacle that’s worth traveling to arctic regions just to see," the SWPC said. "It’s one of the few ways people can directly experience space weather."

Viewing Chances for Friday Night

On Thursday night, much of the northern half of the United States had the rare opportunity to see the Northern Lights, and a similar chance may present itself tonight. The SWPC expects the aurora to be visible across large portions of the northern U.S., potentially reaching as far south as Alabama.

The latest viewing forecast from the SWPC places Northern and Central Illinois within the "viewline," meaning these regions could catch a glimpse of the aurora along the northern horizon.