Did you see the aurora borealis, or “northern lights,” over Southeast Michigan Friday night or early Saturday? You may have more chances this weekend.
A geomagnetic storm is creating a spectacular display of the auroras across the world in both the northern and southern hemispheres.
What are the best viewing practices?
The chance of seeing the northern lights increases away from light pollution or away from city lights. Look toward the north. You will have a better chance in elevated areas, such as hills, and away from the obstruction of buildings. The best aurora is often from 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., according to the Space Weather Prediction Center. This is all at the mercy of cloud cover.
Saturday Night
We will have decreasing clouds across part of Southeast Michigan on Saturday night, but clouds will win out over the Thumb. In general, the skies will be mostly clear to partly cloudy west of I-75 and mostly cloudy east of I-75. Lows will be around 45 degrees. Winds will be out of the northwest at 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.
Sunday
Mother’s Day will be drier and warmer. Sunday’s sky conditions will range from partly cloudy to mostly sunny. Afternoon highs will be in the upper 60s to 70 degrees. While most areas will remain dry, a spotty shower will be possible during the evening. Westerly winds will be 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday night, it will be partly cloudy with increasing clouds. The chance of showers will also increase mainly after 1 a.m. Lows will be in the mid 50s.
Monday
A couple of showers will be possible Monday morning, but the rain showers and a few thunderstorms will rev up during the afternoon and evening along and ahead of a cold front. Highs will be in the upper 70s to 80 degrees. Lows will be in the mid 50s.
Tuesday
The cold front will slowly make its way across Southeast Michigan on Tuesday morning. This will give us the chance of a few lingering showers for the morning drive. Behind the front, temperatures will be slightly cooler with highs in the mid 60s. Lows will be around 50 degrees.
Through Saturday
Warmer air will push highs into the lower to mid 70s for the rest of the week. Skies will be mostly sunny to partly cloudy on Wednesday and Thursday, but the rain chances will return for Friday and Saturday.
Next week’s normal highs are around 70 degrees, and normal lows are around 50 degrees.