Bucket List Alert: The Northern Lights May Reach Illinois Tonight

Having been lucky enough to catch the Northern Lights in Norway many years ago on a trip with my dad, I know that there are lots and lots of people who really want to add that to their big book of life's cool experiences.

If you're someone who's dreamed of seeing the Northern Lights in person, tonight might be your shot, without ever having to leave Illinois.

The Aurora Borealis is one of those bucket-list experiences that consistently ranks among the most desired travel goals for Americans. Usually, though, it requires a trip to Alaska, Canada, or even Norway. But thanks to a burst of solar activity heading toward Earth, that dream could come a whole lot closer to home.

Scientists are tracking multiple coronal mass ejections or CMEs (massive eruptions from the sun) that are expected to collide with Earth’s magnetic field. That interaction can spark geomagnetic storms, which in turn create the glowing ribbons of green, pink, and purple light we know as the Northern Lights.

The National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Has Issued A G2 (Moderate) Geomagnetic Storm Watch For March 19th

That geomagnetic storm watch also comes with the possibility that conditions could briefly strengthen even further. If that happens, the aurora borealis could be visible much farther south than usual, including parts of Illinois.

Now, before you grab a lawn chair and head outside, there’s a catch.

Visibility here isn’t guaranteed. Illinois sits right on the southern edge of where the lights might appear, meaning everything has to line up just right.

If it does, your best chance will be late tonight into the early morning hours, generally between about 10pm and 2am Look toward the northern horizon, and try to get as far away from city lights as possible. Rural areas with wide-open views will give you the best odds.

Your Phone May Give You A Better Look Than Your Eyes Will

Even if the lights aren’t blazing overhead, you might still catch a faint glow, or even pick them up better through your phone's camera, which can detect colors that your eyes might miss. We learned this last year when my wife went out to see the Northern Lights, but could only get a look through her phone's camera on its night setting.

The bigger picture here is that we’re currently near the peak of the sun’s activity cycle, which means more opportunities like this could pop up over the next year or two. But still, chances to see the Northern Lights from Illinois are rare enough that when one comes along, it’s worth paying attention.

So if you’ve ever had “see the Northern Lights” on your bucket list, tonight might be the night to take a step toward crossing it off, right from your own backyard.