The Northern Lights continue to mesmerize. Expected showing again on Sunday

The Northern Lights once again captivated Americans on Saturday night, painting the sky with vivid shades of green, purple and pink across much of the northern United States. Although Saturday’s display did not match the brilliance or scope of Friday’s spectacle, the breathtaking sight continued to dazzle observers. As anticipation builds for a third consecutive night of aurora activity, forecasters are predicting another chance for spectacular views on Sunday for many.

According to Experimental forecast map from the Center for Space and Weather Prediction, Sunday night can provide excellent viewing opportunities in regions such as New England, the Midwest, the Upper Plains, and the Pacific Northwest. The celestial display could extend as far south as Iowa and Nebraska, providing ample opportunities for skywatchers to witness the fascinating rays of light.

For those who missed Friday or Saturday’s show due to cloudiness, Sunday presents a promising opportunity. AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines expressed optimism, especially for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, which have experienced cloud cover during the past two nights.

What are the Northern Lights?

The northern lights, or auroras, are a natural phenomenon characterized by stunning displays of light in Earth’s atmosphere, often observed in high latitude regions. These captivating displays occur when charged particles from the Sun collide with Earth’s upper atmosphere, producing radiant patterns of light, including lightning, spirals and twinkles.

When are the Northern Lights most visible?

Typically, the best time to see the aurora is an hour or two before midnight, expanding into dusk and morning as geomagnetic activity intensifies.

Contributing: USA Today Network

This article originally appeared in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: The Northern Lights continue to mesmerize. Expected showing again on Sunday