The Northern Lights could be visible in Illinois Thursday night. What to know

The Northern Lights may be visible in Illinois Thursday night due to a potential G3-level geomagnetic storm caused by Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). The National Weather Service and Space Weather Prediction Center predict CMEs arriving mid-afternoon, with possible visibility in the lower Midwest. Clear skies could enhance the chances of viewing the auroras, which occur when energized particles collide with Earth's atmosphere.