11:15 p.m. Saturday UPDATE: We're receiving faint reports of Northern Lights in West Michigan. It looks like the greatest visibility chances have been delayed, likely happening now after midnight through daybreak Sunday. Below is a picture from the Space Weather Prediction Center of conditions around 10:50 p.m. tonight. You can view the current conditions and Aurora forecast by clicking here!
West Michigan had an ideal seat to view the Northern Lights on Friday due to a strong geomagnetic storm. The region experienced a G5 level storm, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center. The last G5 event occurred in 2003.
Here's a gallery of photos from Friday night across West Michigan! We have another opportunity to view the Northern Lights Saturday night, with the best timing after midnight through daybreak Sunday. The Northern Lights will be possible as far south as Kentucky. The best viewing potential will be north of Grand Rapids, away from the city lights. Don't forget to let your eyes adjust by at least 10 to 15 minutes.
David Diekema in Zeeland had a vibrant display of purple and green Northern Lights on Friday.
West Michigan experienced the vibrancy of the aurora borealis from a strong solar flare.
The Space Weather Prediction Center predicts additional Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) to pass through Earth's outer atmosphere this weekend. The flares have continued to exceed expectations from forecasts, meaning vibrant Northern Lights are likely.
Saturday night brings mostly clear skies, ideal for viewing!
If you take any photos, please email them to news@fox17online.com.
For the latest details on the weather in West Michigan, head to the FOX 17 Weather page.
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