Halo CME to Make Northern Lights Visible Over Illinois This Week?

In case you didn't know, predicting weather is hard. Predicting weather in space is even more difficult. That's why it's with a bit of trepidation I mention that there's a chance that an incoming 'halo CME' could make the Northern Lights visible over Illinois this week.

My wife (the real life meteorologist) pointed me toward a bulletin from Space Weather which mentioned that the sun just belched a bunch of plasma at us (not the technical term I understand). They say that on Sunday, July 21, the sun had a "dark plasma eruption". I have no idea exactly what that is, but what I do know is it's caused what is currently being classified as a G2 magnetic storm which will impact Earth starting Wednesday.

Note that the peak of the storm arrives Wednesday, July 24, 2024. That means that in northern Illinois especially, the Aurora Borealis is a real possibility. 

Now, let me add some cautionary words. Many things must happen for the Northern Lights to become visible over parts of Illinois. First, the weather has to be clear. Second, the incoming CME must impact the way it's been forecasted to. Third, forecasting space weather is really hard. That last one isn't what must happen, but it's true.

If we're fortunate, the Northern Lights will be as brilliant as they were during the solar storm back in May.