Utah's Night Sky: A Rare Chance to See the Northern Lights

Utah might get a special show in the sky soon. A big solar storm could make the northern lights visible. This is a rare event. The Space Weather Prediction Center says it's a G4 storm—a severe level. It's not common. These storms can mess with power systems. The last one like this was months ago.

The sun is sending out a lot of energy. This energy can hit Earth's atmosphere. When it does, it makes pretty colors in the sky. These are the northern lights. Usually, you can only see them near the poles. But this storm might make them visible in Utah. It's not guaranteed, but it's possible.

When to Look

Experts say the best time might be late Tuesday or early Wednesday. The University of Alaska Fairbanks thinks the peak could be between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Tuesday. But no one knows for sure. The storm could also be seen in other parts of the U.S.—maybe even as far south as Oklahoma or Georgia.

The Catch: Clouds Might Block the View

A storm system is coming. It could bring clouds to Utah. The clouds might come late Tuesday night and stay until Wednesday. This could make it hard to see the northern lights. Some parts of Utah might have better luck, especially in the east. But it's still uncertain.

Final Thoughts

So, if you want to see the northern lights, keep an eye on the sky. Check the weather too. Clouds could ruin the show. But if the sky is clear, you might get a rare treat. It's a good reminder of how amazing nature can be—and how much we still don't know about space.