Northern Lights Could Be Visible In Pennsylvania Tonight

You may have a chance to see the Northern Lights over Pennsylvania Sunday into Monday.

A Geomagnetic Storm Watch has been issued in the region and there is the potential for the Northern Lights to be visible throughout Pennsylvania, according to the NOAA.

According to Pennsylvania Weather Action, a massive sunspot erupted on the sun Friday, creating a “coronal mass ejection." The solar activity could cause aurora in parts of the northern United States late this weekend, including as far south as Pennsylvania.

Here is the likely area where the Northern Lights could be visible, according to the NOAA:

If in fact it happens, the weather forecast is favorable. The forecast Sunday night in the Philadelphia region calls for mostly clear skies with some fog moving in around 4 a.m.

"As long as there is little to no cloud cover and you are in an area with reduced light pollution, you will have more than a 50% chance to see the Northern Lights sometime tonight and early part of tomorrow morning," PA Weather Action reports.

What are the northern lights?

The sun releases charged particles that collide with the Earth’s upper atmosphere. Those charged particles are drawn to the Earth’s north and south magnetic poles.

As a result, molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere become charged, then revert to normal energy levels. When that happens, they emit energy in the form of light, creating the beautiful displays in the sky.

For the best viewing, find a dark place away from city lights and light pollution.

PHOTO: NOAA