Clouds Dampen Aurora Borealis Viewing in the 'Burbs, But Do We Have Another Chance Tonight?!

Stock photo – Getty images

The videos from some towns not too far away are spectacular! The aurora borealis WOULD HAVE BEEN visible to all of us here in the suburbs (if you were able to avoid light pollution), but the clouds got in the way. Just a few miles west though, it was a different story!

Up in northwest Illinois in the quad cities area, they did escape the clouds and enjoyed quite a show!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? GoPro Timelapse of the Aurora about 30 minutes ago here in NW IL #aurora @spacewxwatch @Ridge_Riders_ @NWSQuadCities #ilwx pic.twitter.com/td9ZegfxQO

— Owen Szarley (@OwenWxIllinois) April 24, 2023

Someone even caught a COMET streaking across the sky that was lit up with the northern lights. That’s incredible!

Just caught a bright meteor above the Aurora in NW IL! @Ridge_Riders_ pic.twitter.com/LnBaD5BAcm

— Ethan Mok (@Emokwx) April 24, 2023

Even as far south as Champaign got a good view of it!

Pillars visible with the naked eye in Champaign County, Illinois! #NorthernLights #aurora pic.twitter.com/AmKLf1ItQl

— Andrew Pritchard (@skydrama) April 24, 2023

Out in Volo, they had a similar experience!

What an amazing #NorthernLight Show in #Volo IL this evening just wow. The #Solarwind was literally flickering in the sky. No words can describe what I saw tonight just wow. pic.twitter.com/ph32bv0eJs

— Dirk Leahy (@DLeahy23) April 24, 2023

The aurora borealis isn’t a rare phenomenon for people of northern latitudes, but why is this instance different? It turns out, it’s some pretty severe solar weather!

G3-G4 conditions continue overnight pic.twitter.com/sQH7AZ5fhb

— NOAA Space Weather (@NWSSWPC) April 24, 2023

While the chances are high that conditions will provide for more aurora borealis viewing in our area, clouds again will be a factor.

Unfortunately we are expecting cloud cover to increase this evening as showers begin to lift into the area so viewing is not looking to be the best from a weather perspective.

— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) April 24, 2023