For those who\u2019ve always wanted to experience the magic of the Northern Lights \u2014 but don\u2019t live in one of the typical prime viewing locations \u2014 tonight and this weekend may just be your chance.<\/p>\n
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently issued a geomagnetic storm watch due to a high-speed solar wind stream, increasing the potential for geomagnetic activity across several northern US states and Canadian provinces from Friday, March 6 to Sunday, March 8.<\/p>\n
The storm is likely to make the aurora borealis (the scientific term for the Northern Lights) visible at more southern latitudes than is typical.<\/p>\n
The Northern Lights are especially prevalent during the month of March. AP<\/p>\n
Provided the skies are clear, residents of Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine have the best chance of seeing the light display between 10 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. local time \u2014 the period in which geomagnetic activity is known to peak.<\/p>\n
The month of March is typically one of the best times to see the aurora borealis, as it includes the spring equinox, according to BBC Sky at Night Magazine<\/a>. The month of September is prime viewing time, too, as it includes the autumn equinox. The correlation is known as the Russel-McPherron effect, named after the two scientists who noticed the pattern.<\/p>\n