Northern Lights May Be Visible in Eastern Oregon July 13
By Joe Hathaway on Tuesday, July 11th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
NORTHEAST OREGON – Millions of Americans will be able to witness a celestial event not typically visible from their own backyards this week, including potentially right here in eastern Oregon.
A strong solar storm will bring the Northern Lights farther south than usual and skygazers in 17 states could have a chance of a glimpse of the colorful sky show.
Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis, are most often seen in Alaska, Canada and Scandinavia, but an 11-year solar cycle that’s expected to peak in 2024 is making the lights visible in places farther to the south.
The Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska at Fairbanks forecasts auroral activity on Thursday in Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Indiana, Maine and Maryland.
The National Weather Service in Pendleton says Thursday night should be clear for most of northeast Oregon and that people wanting to experience an aurora should get away from city lights when it gets dark.
Northern Lights occur when a magnetic solar wind slams into the Earth’s magnetic field and causes atoms in the upper atmosphere to glow. The lights appear suddenly and the intensity varies.
