Could the Northern Lights be visible this week as the U.S. prepares for a partial lunar eclipse?<\/p>\n
It’s possible. <\/p>\n
The Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a geomagnetic storm watch in effect Thursday through Saturday. <\/p>\n
The watch begins with a “minor” storm watch Thursday, but climbs to a “moderate” storm watch for Friday and Saturday. <\/p>\n
“Watches at this level are infrequent, but not uncommon,” the SWPC wrote on social media. <\/p>\n
According to the prediction, a coronal hole high speed stream followed by a coronal mass ejection, which is an “eruption of solar material,” could lead to an increased geomagnetic response. <\/p>\n
“Dependent upon that intensity, geomagnetic response can escalate quickly,” the SWPC wrote. <\/p>\n
Geomagnetic activity in response to CMEs that departed the Sun on 25 Aug is now anticipated to extend into 29 Aug. A G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm watch remains for 27 Aug for expected CH HSS influences and a G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storm watch is now active for 28-29 Aug. pic.twitter.com\/xgOraPPqKh<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) August 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The forecast calls for the possibility of the northern lights being visible in some northern and upper Midwest states from New York to Idaho, however, it’s not clear if the resulting storms will be strong enough to push the lights into the Chicago area. <\/p>\n The NBC 5 Storm Team reported the levels may not reach the horizon for some. <\/p>\n It comes at the same time many are preparing for a near-total lunar eclipse.<\/a><\/p>\n Almost the entire lunar surface will be masked Thursday night into Friday \u2014 a whopping 96% \u2014 making this an especially deep partial eclipse.<\/p>\n Luckily for Chicago-area residents, if the weather does cooperate, they will get treated to the best version of the show<\/a>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the second act of the greatest show in the solar system, coming two weeks after a total solar eclipse paraded across Greenland, Iceland and Spain.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t