Grand Rapids, Michigan – A rare nighttime sky event is expected within hours as a solar storm pushes the northern lights into view across much of Michigan late Sunday.
According to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, a G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm will peak between 10 p.m. Sunday and 2 a.m. Monday, allowing aurora activity to dip well into the Upper Midwest. The event is driven by lingering solar eruption energy combined with a high-speed solar wind stream.
Viewing conditions will be strongest across the Upper Peninsula, including Marquette, Sault Ste. Marie, and Escanaba, where darker skies improve visibility. In the Lower Peninsula, cities like Grand Rapids, Traverse City, and even parts of the Lansing area could catch faint green and pink light bands low on the northern horizon, especially north of I-96.
Motorists along I-75 and US-131 may notice brighter skies overnight, though no travel disruptions are expected. For the best view, head to dark, open areas away from city lights and allow at least 20 minutes for your eyes to adjust.
Cloud cover may briefly interfere, but clearer breaks could develop overnight. Elevated geomagnetic activity may continue into early Monday, with additional alerts possible if conditions intensify.
