Northern Lights Expected in Iowa Thursday Night
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are forecasted to reappear in Iowa skies on Thursday evening, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center.
Forecast Details
The Space Weather Prediction Center indicates a strong chance that the northern lights will be visible across the northern United States, with the aurora view line near Iowa’s southern border. Residents in northern Iowa are expected to have the best opportunity to witness this natural light display.
What Are Northern Lights?
NOAA describes auroras as “beautiful light curtains formed when energetic particles from the sun strike the atmosphere.”
The northern lights are called aurora borealis because they occur in the northern hemisphere. A similar phenomenon takes place in the southern hemisphere, known as “aurora australis.”
Visibility Challenges
- Much of Iowa will experience cloud cover around 9 p.m. Thursday, especially the Des Moines area with about 95% cloudiness.
- The clearest skies are expected near Iowa's western border.
- Cloud cover will decrease overnight, with Des Moines dropping to 36% cloud cover by midnight.
- Thursday night’s waning gibbous moon, illuminated at 98%, may reduce visibility of the aurora.
Summary
The northern lights could be visible in parts of Iowa Thursday night, though cloud cover and a bright moon may limit the experience for some observers.