Aurora sighting possible this weekend

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A geomagnetic storm is set to slam into earth this weekend, and it may be strong enough for parts of West Michigan to see it. 

A KP Index of 4 is needed for the northern lights to be seen in northern parts of Michigan. Usually a KP Index of 6 or higher allows those northern lights to be visible as far south as Grand Rapids. 

Here is the University of Alaska Geophysical Institute's official aurora forecast for this weekend: 

The time is given in UTC, which is four hours ahead of eastern time. The current forecast for the solar wind arrival is in the middle of the day Saturday, although experts say that time could shift. 

Scientists often use a KP index value to see how far south an aurora may be seen on earth. The higher the KP index, the further south an aurora borealis can be seen. 

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