Aurora Borealis Expected to Be Visible in Northern US, Possibly Alabama

Hundreds of Photos Submitted to Local News as Storm Approaches

Increased Solar Activity May Cause Auroras as Far South as Alabama

The aurora borealis, a natural light display in the sky, could be visible throughout much of the northern US and as far south as Alabama on Friday, according to meteorologists. Hundreds of photos of the aurora have already been submitted to WBRC via their First Alert Weather app, indicating that the storms are already producing visible auroras.

Increased solar activity is the cause of the expected aurora. Large solar material is headed toward Earth, arriving on Friday, May 10. This increased activity could cause auroras to be visible in areas where they are not typically seen, such as Alabama and northern California.

The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon that occurs when charged particles from the sun interact with Earth's magnetic field. These particles are directed towards the magnetic poles, where they collide with atoms and molecules in the atmosphere, causing them to glow.

If you are in an area where the aurora borealis is expected to be visible, be sure to look up to the sky on Friday night. The best time to see the aurora is typically between midnight and 3 a.m.