If you’re up for a last-minute road trip, head north for your chance to see the Northern Lights tomorrow night! The Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is predicting a night of strong solar activity in the evening hours of March 4th. The rare chance to see the Northern lights towards the upper part of the lower peninsula and further north is due to the prediction that the Kp-index is expected to be higher than 4.
On a scale of 0 to 9, the Kp-index is a measure of predicted aurora activity. Most nights in great aurora destinations, the Kp-index measures between 1 and 3, so a night of activity that’s higher than 4 is a good chance to try and see the northern lights. If you’re wondering where the closest place for the best chance to see the northern lights in Michigan might be, you will want to head to Headlands International Dark Sky Park. Located at the northern tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, the park was certified in 2011 as the ninth dark sky park in the world. Today it draws crowds year round for astronomy programs and northern lights viewing; the park sits at the border of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron giving the park a great view of the northern horizon and any aurora.
Headlands International Dark Sky Park is a four-hour drive from Port Huron or Detroit.
Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.
