Northern Michigan residents have a chance to witness the breathtaking northern lights this week, with cloudy weather set to clear by night, offering ideal viewing conditions for auroras.
According to forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), an upcoming geomagnetic storm is predicted to produce the auroras in northern Michigan on Thursday, August 7 and Friday, August 8.
Cloudy weather is expected for both nights, but clouds should clear by nighttime, allowing for optimal viewing conditions. The National Weather Service office in Gaylord expects this, while the Marquette NWS office warns that visibility may be blocked by clouds on Friday night.
Auroras typically appear between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., with the best views taking place when these conditions are met. These colorful lights are caused by the interaction between the Earth’s magnetic field and charged particles from the sun’s atmosphere, resulting in shades of green, pink, and red hues.
Michigan residents can witness the northern lights at various dark sky areas across the state, including Keweenaw Dark Sky Park, Dr. T.K. Lawless Park, Rockport State Recreation Area, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, among others.
For those having trouble seeing the auroras with the naked eye, using a phone camera in night mode can help capture the moment.
Source: https://eu.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2025/08/07/aurora-borealis-northern-lights-viewing-chances-aug7/85557314007