Northern Lights Expected Over Iowa Thursday Night
The northern lights are predicted to appear in Iowa on Thursday evening, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center forecast. The auroras are likely to be visible across northern parts of the United States.
What Are the Northern Lights?
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are natural light displays caused when energetic particles from the sun collide with the Earth's atmosphere. NOAA describes them as “beautiful light curtains formed when energetic particles from the sun strike the atmosphere.”
The northern lights are also known as aurora borealis because they are seen in the northern hemisphere. A similar event also happens in the southern hemisphere. It’s called “aurora australis.”
Visibility Across Iowa
The forecast shows the northern lights’ visibility line crossing near Iowa’s southern border, but residents in northern Iowa have a stronger chance of seeing the auroras. However, weather conditions could affect the viewing experience.
- Much of Iowa is expected to be cloudy around 9 p.m. Thursday, with Des Moines experiencing about 94% cloud cover.
- Skies should be clearest along Iowa’s western border.
- Cloud cover is expected to diminish overnight, with Des Moines dropping to 31% cloud cover by midnight.
Other Factors Affecting Visibility
Thursday’s moon phase will be a waning gibbous with 98% illumination, which may reduce the visibility of the northern lights.
Author's summary: Iowans, especially in the northern and western parts of the state, might catch a glimpse of the northern lights Thursday night, although cloud cover and bright moonlight could impede the view.