TOLEDO, Ohio — Northwest Ohio, along with a surprisingly large portion of North America, was treated in May to a dazzling display of the northern lights when a powerful G5 geomagnetic storm interacted with Earth's magnetic field.
Another geomagnetic storm is slated to reach Earth Wednesday night. But will it create a visible aurora display in the continental US again?
Scientists with the Space Weather Prediction Center, a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, recorded a geomagnetic storm Tuesday evening, causing a reading of 5 to 7 on the Kp index, which is used to measure aurora strength.
This storm, which clocked in at a G2, could produce an aurora level of Kp 5.67 between the hours of 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. Thursday morning.
Unfortunately, though a Kp = 5 is higher than average in terms of aurora strength, it's unlikely it will be visible in northwest Ohio, even if skies are clear and you have a long-exposure camera. To be seen in Toledo, the Kp index would need to measure approximately a 7 or 8 on the scale, if not more. When they were visible in May, the Kp index registered at a 8 for several hours straight.
However, if you happen to be up north, such as in southern Canada or Michigan's Upper Peninsula, you may be lucky to catch a peek!
If you do happen to be in a prime viewing area, look to the north along the horizon and give your eyes a few minutes to adjust to the darkness. Try to find a rural area away from city lights to get the best viewing conditions.
Your phone will be able to take long exposure photos. Just make sure to hold the phone still while taking the photo.
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Have photos from the northern lights? Send them to news@wtol.com or submit them using our mobile news and weather apps!
Check out these photos submitted by WTOL 11 viewers and the WTOL 11 team when the aurora borealis was visible in northwest Ohio:
PHOTOS: Northern Lights over northwest Ohio
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