Lincoln, IL – Missed the stunning Northern Lights last night? You might get one more shot at it this evening — but cloud cover could be a challenge. The National Weather Service in Central Illinois says another burst of solar activity could make auroras visible again across the region early tonight, before clouds increase later in the evening.
Forecasters report that another coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun is expected to arrive midday, extending the effects of an ongoing G4-level geomagnetic storm — one of the strongest categories measured. That means the Aurora Borealis could once again reach unusually far south, including across parts of Illinois, Missouri, and Indiana.
However, visibility will depend heavily on cloud cover, which is expected to thicken overnight. The best window for spotting the aurora will likely be just after sunset through early evening, when skies remain partly clear in central and eastern Illinois.
If conditions allow, residents should look north toward the horizon away from city lights for the best chance of seeing faint green or red glows. Smartphone cameras with long exposure or “night mode” often capture more color than the eye can detect.
Clouds and mild temperatures are expected to persist into Thursday, with highs in the 50s and 60s and breezy southwest winds.
For skywatchers, tonight may be the final opportunity to catch the aurora before conditions turn cloudy later this week.
