Fireworks — and drone shows — may not be the only thing lighting up the Wisconsin night sky this week. There will be another chance to see the northern lights on July 1 and 2, according to the NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center.
The July 1 aurora forecast has ha a Kp index of five while July 2 has an index of four. For indexes in this range, lights will likely be “brighter and there will be more auroral activity” — if they make an appearance — since they’re moving further from the poles, according to the SWPC.
The SWPC also has an aurora forecast tool, which provides a short-term forecast. The forecaster shows the lights’ location and intensity for the next 30 to 90 minutes.
What will the weather be like in Wisconsin on July 1 and 2?
Luckily, the weather should cooperate if the northern lights make an appearance this week.
The National Weather Service forecasts clear skies for most of the state on July 1, including in Green Bay, Appleton, Milwaukee and Madison.
Milwaukee is also expected to be mostly clear on July 2, along with Madison, Kenosha and Racine. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms later on in Madison, Green Bay and Appleton.
What are tips for watching the northern lights?
The SWPC says the lights are typically best “within an hour or two” of midnight, meaning you should keep an eye out between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.
You should also head away from city lights and seek high vantage points for a better chance of seeing them. You can find a full list of tips on the SWPC’s website.
What are the best places in Wisconsin to watch the northern lights?
Here’s a list of spots across Wisconsin that offer some of the best views of the night sky:
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Northern lights may appear in 14 states, including Wisconsin, on July 1 and 2
Reporting by Cailey Gleeson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
