FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Due to a geomagnetic storm on the sun, there’s a potential that we could see the northern lights in northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio both tonight (Friday, October 4) and Saturday night (October 5).
We assess the potential to see the northern lights by the Kp index value that results from the amount of disturbances to the Earth’s magnetic field caused by a geomagnetic storm.
The Kp value the next couple of nights is 6. The more disturbances to the magnetic field, the higher the number and the greater likelihood of seeing the northern lights. The scale goes as high as 9.
At a value of 6, viewing the northern lights is not a guarantee, rather it is the lowest value where seeing the colors of the northern lights is possible in our part of the country. If you go out to take a look at the sky tonight, don’t only try looking above you, try looking at the horizon, too. You are more likely to see colors there, especially if you are away from city lights.
