Go Away, Gray: Northern Lights May Be Seen Across Region This Weekend

Although it may not seem like it on Friday, what with the overcast skies and booming thunder, this weekend just might bring enough clear skies for a nighttime peek at the northern lights from Edmonds.

The large solar outburst Thursday means an appearance of the aurora borealis is likely over Western Washington over the next few days wherever skies are clear.

The best chances of spotting the celestial outburst are Saturday night and possibly Sunday night.

The flare erupted from the sun's Active Region 1520, which rotated into view last week. The flare created a coronal mass ejection, which is traveling in Earth's direction at more than 850 miles per second.

Saturday's forecast for Edmonds calls for increasing cloudy skies, so seeing the northern lights is going to be hit or miss.

City lights make it harder to see the stars and nighttime phenomena in the sky. The best viewing would be in the hills and mountains outside town.

If the clouds part, look in the sky to the north. If you're actually able to capture a photo, please share it on our Pics and Clips here or our Facebook page (and while you're there, please "like" us!).