Cloud cover forecast 1 a.m. Thursday National Weather . NWS Forecast Office Duluth, MN. The Aurora Borealis could put on a show in Minnesota Monday night and maybe again on Tuesday. Once again, check out the locations in the daytime, and also only pick locations where there are no bright lights, or cities to the north (within 10 miles). Partly cloudy works, too. Please consider visiting northern Minnesota, or the Copper Harbor area once again. 3. View full-size map. "Astro" Bob King is a freelance writer for the Duluth News Tribune. The map will tell you the expected percentage of cloud cover at different times of the day, and days in the future. Best time to witness northern lights. If constructed, NLX will operate on approximately 152 miles of existing BNSF rail corridor. Find guides to lodging, shopping, dining, activities, attractions, maps, things to do and events. night around 11 p.m. local time near last quarter phase and shouldn't pose much of a problem. Hawk Ridge is located on East Skyline Parkway on the northeastern side of Duluth and features an overlook where viewers can park to see the lights from their car. All other routes follow directions above. Auroras can still be spotted south of about 50 latitude during the summer. In addition, pay attention to trends. Binoculars will show three additional fainter stars 45, 44 and 42 Capricorni from bottom to top that form an attractive arc just above Saturn. Where in Minnesota can you see the Northern Lights tonight? The Grand Ely Lodge on Shagawa Lake should work many of the rooms face north looking over the lake away from the towns lights. Like the place. Europe. I don't mean to disparage the moon. Me and my husband are planning to visit Minnesota on 11-15 Jan 2018. When is the best time to view the northern lights? Every eleven years or so it beats, and it beats hard. That means Minnesota's long, dark winter nights present the perfect opportunity to hunt for the northern lights. Auroral activity is expected to be at its height between 5 p.m. and 1 a.m, with the most intense peak between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Northern Minnesota is special in the winter, but very darn cold. Thanks!!! During the summer months of May, June and July it is just too bright to see them in the far northland. For instance, the morning of Friday, July 22, it will guide observers to the planet Uranus, currently located between Mars and the Pleiades star cluster. Also avoid areas south of even small towns. You can reach him at nightsky55@gmail.com. Aurora is likely to show as soon as evening twilight ends across northern Maine, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin and North Dakota. Personally I like to wait until it's at Thank you. . Today's and tonight's Duluth, MN weather forecast, weather conditions and Doppler radar from The Weather Channel and Weather.com Go to the website, then click the Find a Chart link to the left, fill in your location, and you're ready to go. First of all thanks a lot for this wonderful information. While I understand your concern over wilderness areas, you are actually much, much safer out in the middle of nowhere than a city. When indoubt, turn around. The Anyone who joins me I am happy to explain the tricks to photographing the Aurora. I watched the parents raise triplets recently near my home at the northern edge of Duluth. Important: Construction does still impact travel from Wisconsin. The project is eligible for an 80% federal matching grant, contingent upon securing state funding. The peak hours are between 11pm and 2am, however, anytime its dark there is hope. Even though they are experienced outdoorsmen, they have chosen to wait till early March for their trek. Be prepared to head out a bit after sunset to known viewing spots IF the Ovation numbers are good. When you see northern lights face to faceflashing, weaving, and pulsing across the starry skyit feels like pure magic. Event Description . Intense Aurora Borealis Over Duluth Mn And Lake Superior 10 7 2017 You. In addition, should the Northern Lights forecast look good, first check out your desired viewing location in the day time. Please note: These maps are intended for reference only. But, clouds will move thru, possibly covering the sky. Here some Auroras I saw from that location. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. S. Pole. Suggested Northern Lights Forecasting Mobile Apps: Youll notice on all Northern Lights prediction sites reference KP levels. Listed below are some websites of organizations that monitor the sun, measure the solar wind in real-time (now), and make aurora predictions. Download The Northern Lights Photography Guide, View map for a visual on where you might see lights, Aurora Alerts Mobile App (iOS + Google Play), Read more about what causes the aurora borealis here, Refer to the Northern Lights PDF to identify which routes are on plowed roads. The Ovation Auroral prediction. . This is a great blog! Thanks to its northern location and dark skies, Cook County is blessed enough to host this miracle. Stay with WCCO to follow the latest on your chances to see the atmospheric light show! We have a solid forecast for northern lights Wednesday night through Thursday dawn, August 17-18. . Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) often take up to 72 hours to reach earth. I recommend using Aurora-Alerts which is available for both Apple and Android devices. Friends of mine who hunt do this because they enjoy being out in the wild, often with friends. Autumn and spring are often experiencing solar storms so there are more chances to see aurora borealis. Summer skies are quite dark in Wisconsin, so seeing aurora is a possibility. Brian Peterson, Star Tribune. Wow what a great site.I love the northern lights, birding, skiing info..Thanks. With respect to star gazing (and maybe the Aurora), either Ely or Grand Marais are great towns which are entry points to the wilderness, but even in these towns to best see the stars or any aurora, get out of town. I will try the sights mentioned in your blog.I must say its an amazing blog I stumbled upon after googling for a few weeks. Current Minnesota State Requirements can be found in the MN Driver Manual. They will be renting specialized winter gear from outfitters in Ely. Northern Lights Program Book. Northern Lights May Be Visible This Weekend Duluth News Tribune. However, some basic facts for night photography public boat launches on remote lakes which face north are good for the Northern Lights, and south facing for the Milky Way. If the lights are going to happen in North Dakota, you don't have to worry about going to a particular area of the state. Two to three hours after sunset tends to be the best viewing time. The only essentials are a dark sky to the north with as little city light pollution as possible and clear weather. Want Kp index of 5+ in NE Minnesota. something that happened up to 28 days ago in the past). Based on past aurora behavior and the latest forecast, peak activity will likely be from about 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. local time. -Follow Hwy 53/Hwy 2 to Superior, WI LOL. Shelly Lighting August 5, 2018. Come August days are shorter and the viewing window would be greater. NOAA's The folks at the front desk could arrange dog sled tours, directions to the Bear Research Center, etc. If it is trending upwards, then heading out is a good idea. At night the Milky Way is an amazing sight. The National Weather Service office in Duluth on Friday afternoon tossed a moist blanket on the collective hopes of aurora chasers: NOAA injected a little hope into the weekend watch. A Few Tips for Spotting the Northern Lights. It rises Weds. A geomagnetic storm made for a brilliant aurora across the northern . Northern lights over Saganaga Lake. All your information will make my photographing of the northern lights much more enjoyable. The Northern Lights most commonly appear between 60-75-degree Longitude, making the North Shore a hot spot for seeing the lights. If the power readings rise about 45gw, get outside. The Twin Cities National Weather Service office pushed the hope meter a little higher later Friday afternoon: So, maybe. October 30, 2021 / 5:00 AM / CBS Minnesota MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minnesota is under a solar storm watch for Saturday night, meaning you might be able to see the northern lights. Dont just visit Cook County. This is a short-term forecast of the location and intensity of the aurora. The real deal happened Wednesday night through Thursday morning. Let's hope so! Saturn's up and easy to see low in the southeast by 11 p.m. local time, with Jupiter arriving on the scene around midnight. With respect to whether the Northern Lights will shine way to early to predict. Good luck! Keep an eye out for this pretty trio. Times are in UTC, which must be converted to your local time zone. Thanks. Whenever you are home or away, Aurora Alerts (iOS and Android) will notify you if the possibility of seeing the northern lights exists. Stay tuned! A strong geometric storm is forecast to hit earth, which could make the aurora borealis visible farther south than is typical. Aurora live Prediction. Plus, they have a forecast available to help you know what Aurora activity you may see in the week ahead. Finally, Aurora Forecasts are very unreliable, but when the sun goes down repeatedly check Ovation Aurora from your guest room (site linked via my blog). The Northern Lights are caused by the interaction of the solar wind a stream of charged particles escaping the Sun and our planets magnetic field and atmosphere. When this energy sweeps by the earth 1-to-3 nights later there is a very good chance of aurora activity. If you click on a square, a map showing your location and the predicted cloud cover pops up. Safety is at the discretion of the driver. NOAA suggests checking for the aurora between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, when the lights are typically most active you can see a 30-minute . The season for aurora borealis in Northern Hemisphere generally runs from September through March. With a little advance planning, it is possible to photograph the Aurora. Ultimately you want to see a rating (Kp) of 5 or higher for viewing in Northern Minnesota. The first wave of the storm hit earlier this morning, with the grand slam expected to arrive early Wednesday night. . Watching the northern lights requires no special equipment, just your eyes and if you like, a chair. While Ely is a small town, the lights makes a difference. If you feel you have received this message in error, please contact the customer support team at 1-833-248-7801. People in the metro could see the northern lights. Catching a glimpse of the northern lights is at the top of many "bucket lists" but the number one question we hear is "where are the best places to view the northern lights in Minnesota?" The shock from the impact will be significant, with storming continuing at the moderate level through Thursday night, Aug. 18. Geomagnetic activity is driven by solar activity and solar coronal holes and thus it waxes and wanes with time. The man fell from the fourth story of a hotel that was under construction. How we can figure out the timings of visibility? Ovation Model Based Aurora Borealis Forecast. Any chance of seeing the northern lights and any suggestions of best sites. We are ready to build! Should get better & better as we head toward the predicted peak in 2025. The winter months of October-thru-February are also good (there is definitely no shortage of darkness!). Check the Forecast The Northern Lights are notoriously hard to predict, but for the best odds, these sites can help. Bearskin Lodge on the Gunflint Trail inland from Grand Marais. The page is a bit difficult to understand, but just remember these key points: Watches & Warning are good. It can be very special, but one needs the proper equipment. The waning crescent moon rises late and won't bother the show. 4th of July Coon Rapids Fireworks & Events, Explore Minnesota Tourism: Northern Lights, Visit Cook County Minnesota: Northern Lights in Cook County, National Park Service: Northern Lights in Voyagers National Parks. Here is the most up-to-date image: It's a good sign if you see a thick aurora band with some areas of light yellow, orange or, better yet, RED on this map as opposed to just a thin . Minnesota Weather: Calm Weather Expected For Halloween Weekend. We usually prefer to wander on our own but for northern lights I believe you really need a good amount of knowledge to visit the right spot at right time. Solar forecasters point their collective finger at a CME (coronal mass ejection) that erupted back on August 14 as the primary cause, amplified by a recent coronal hole, a high-speed wind of material streaming from a gap in the sun's atmosphere. The Aurora Borealis could put on a show in Minnesota Monday night and maybe again on Tuesday. Aurora Borealis Forecast Tonight Astro Bob: March sky celestial highlights, Astro Bob: Kissing planets! With the help of local photographer, Bryan Hansel, we have created a comprehensive list of some of the best places to view the northern lights in Cook County, MN. NASA and NOAA attempt to measure CMEs using satellites and telescopes. . CMEs tend to cause Aurora displays. November offers another chance when the Leonid show occurs. Thus, if a good Aurora display arises I am perfectly happy being in the woods during hunting season. Aurora Borealis season in northern polar latitudes (Alaska, northern Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Siberia) runs from August-thru-April. Avoid anything within 15 miles of even small towns too much light pollution. Home. If I were travelling to Lutsen, I might personally go the few extra miles to Grand Marais. This page has a link to viewing spots towards the bottom which utilizes Google maps. October 30, 2021 / 5:00 AM If Ovation is at 45 GW but trending down, you may wish to stay home. I really appreciate all the great information you have provided here. The Cedar, a nonprofit in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, was founded in 1989. Kp of 5 or higher is good. Please Contact Us. Northern Lights Forecast Duluth Minnesota. 1. I recently saw a post on one of the facebook pages with a photo of the Aurora taken a few days ago in Grand Marais. Every year, explorers, adventurers and artists from around the world travel to Cook Countyto. North Shore Visitor: Explore the North Shore of Minnesota. Northern Lights Viewing Routes - Find the best places to view the aurora borealis in Cook County MN Posted by Visit Cook County MN on 11/12/17 11:00 AM Catching a glimpse of the northern lights is at the top of many "bucket lists" but the number one question we hear is "where are the best places to view the northern lights in Minnesota?" It's incredibly brilliant even when close to the horizon. https://www.365daysofbirds.com/2017/01/25/planning-winter-minnesota-northern-lights-trip/, Planning your Northern Lights trip: 2023 Visit Cook County Minnesota. Best to check on updates from NOAA and the local weather service offices in Duluth and the Twin Cities before jumping in the car this weekend to find the lights. A: We are just starting to come out of a 4-year trough of Solar Cycle 24. The Federal Railroad Administration completed an environmental review and approved the service development plan in early 2018. Please note the red viewing line. 3-Day Forecast (Mar 3 to Mar 5) The geomagnetic field is expected to be at quiet levels on Mar 4 (03 Mar), quiet to active levels on Mar 5 (04 Mar) and quiet to minor storm levels on Mar 6 (05 Mar). Duluth Weather 15 Day 5 days , 7 days , 10 day , 14 days , 15 days , 16 days , 20 days , 25 days , 30 days , 45 days , 60 days , 90 days Snow continuing through this evening with a storm total of 6-12 cm. 09-12. What a fantastic informational site! Its a chance to experience the mystical, feel connected with something almost otherworldly and experience natural beauty at its utmost perfection. Blue means fewer clouds, gray means cloudy. Have stayed there with my own family. To see them in our area, youll be looking for a KP of 4 or higher. (UT = Universal Time). / CBS Minnesota. -Continue in right lane and bear right (NE) onto West Railroad St. One of the primary ways the Northern Lights Foundation raises money is by hosting annual fundraising events throughout the year. My two sons are actually ski hiking from Ely to the Gunflint Trail in early March. When the fact that true darkness only occurs 2 hours after sunset, and 2 hours before sunrise, the viewing window on June 21st would only be from approximately 11 pm to 3 am. The CMEs will result in a G3-class geomagnetic storm, which is classified as strong, according to the forecast. The 27-day long-term Aurora forecast for Alaska. For reasons not yet fully understood, the Northern Lights appear most frequently in the late fall and winter. Here's the best place to see northern lights in the U.S. Minnesota's only national park is ideally positioned for auroras, which can occur as often as 200 nights per year. Good news on that front, too. CME forecast. Looks like it will be a New Moon the time I go. Project Description. Next week, we'll have an even better opportunity to spot the cloud-enshrouded seventh planet. There is simply no comparison to seeing the northern lights with your own eyes. These predictions are updated weekly by the NOAA SWPC. This graphic is from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration the U.S. Northern Lights Forecast April 2022 Aurora May Appear Over Us Thrillist. Thanks again. Home. Two nights in a row of aurora can we be so lucky? Phone 218-655-5018 | Fax 218-451-4511. Northern Lights Express, or NLX, is igniting imaginations around Minnesota and the nation. Any suggestions regarding points where we can drive and observe this mesmerizing phenomenon. Minnesota is a state that offers polar lights chasers a supply of several ideal spots to witness the beauty as it is. Here S The Saay Northern Lights Forecast For Minnesota Bring Me News. It looks highly likely that I will teach a free outdoor / wildlife photography class this Fall in the Duluth area. In order to see the Northern Lights you need dark, cloud free skies with open views to the North and Northeast. Thus, check around sunset, and recheck a few times over the next hour. If you see lots of bright colors (reds and oranges), and power readings way above 50 GW, get outside and look north! Therefore, sunspots, like those seen on this solar image to the left, are like a giant revolving firehose emitting energy into space for sometimes months at a time. -Keep in the right lane as traffic is diverted onto Garfield Ave. Here are a few of my own Northern Lights photos, Same Time Next Year Gang (Labor Day Reunion for 30+ years), Map to Boulder Lake (Boulder Lake is a great Northern Lights viewing location and is a 35 minute drive north of Duluth), Learn more about this web site and its content: 365DaysOfBirds.com. The 9 Best Places to see Northern Lights in Minnesota. Between 0. "Astro" Bob King is a freelance writer and retired photographer for the Duluth News Tribune. 1. After an active aurora night, mark that date on a calendar and in 27-28 days pay close attention to the sky. Both are fantastic viewing locations. richardhoeg@gmail.com says . Should be a great time and location. Not to far from Grand Portage is the Arrowhead Trail (goes inland from Hovland, Minnesota). That encounter could spark a minor to moderate (G2) geomagnetic storm with auroras possible from 10 p.m. until dawn Friday night, July 22, through Saturday morning, July 23. This forecast is for everywhere north of Duluth across the entire state of Minnesota. The area covers much of the northern part of the United States -- including all of Minnesota -- and much of Canada. Forecast; Radar; Closings & Delays; . Check out our hot deals today. Stay up late: Best times to see Northern Lights is often between 9 pm - 4 am, so bring along plenty of coffee or tea. The darker blue the square, the clearer the sky. 2. Finally, even if you are in a small town like Ely or Grand Marais, get out if town to lessen the effect of light pollution. If it is possible, what should I most concern about? Once again, for Northern Minnesota you want a Kp of 5 or higher. The auroras were spectacular in the northern U.S. Sunday night into Monday morning. Question and Answer: Why are long term forecasts unreliable, but short term forecasts are decent? A Quick Timeout Would you like to download a free PDF copy of my latest childrens picture book, Do You Hoot? Box 40. There's a G2 in effect at sunset . Strong-Extreme storm. Wow, this looks good. With this app, you'll be seeing the Northern Lights in no time. Deer hunting season only last a few weeks during November, and I do not mind turning over the trails for a short time to my friends who hunt. The cities of Duluth and St. Read more about what causes the aurora borealis here. The sky is not truly dark except during that period of the night. latest forecast It pays to stay tuned in. Northern lights in minnesota northern lights in minnesota northern lights north s minnesota aurora borealis forecast everything. I look forward to following you posts. Uncategorized. True darkness occurs about 2 hours after sunset through 2 hours before sunrise. Aurora Borealis Forecast and Alerts is an app designed to monitor real-time auroral activity and push alert to let you know if there may be aurora borealis (northern lights) visible tonight. If constructed, NLX will operate on approximately 152 miles of existing BNSF rail corridor. I hope you have clear skies. Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. Much luck to you! The one concern I would share about hunting is that it is smart to not hike in the woods during deer hunting season. The initial timing of the storm looked extremely promising for the Upper Midwest. The new location is slated to open in June. I feel confident I will get some shots of at least the Milky Way. We have a solid forecast for northern lights Wednesday night through Thursday dawn, August 17-18. True darkness lasts from 2 hours after sunset to 2 hours before sunrise which is another reason for picking a later date all other things being equal. of increasing intensity. The news, analysis and community conversation found here is funded by donations from individuals. Known as a spot to view migrating birds, this ridge offers magnificent views over the entirety of Duluth and is a great spot to see the Northern Lights. Cook County is the Best Place to View the Northern Lights in Minnesota (and the lower 48 states) You don't have to travel to the Arctic Circle to see the Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis. 06-09. If you feel you have received this message in error, please contact the customer support team at 1-833-248-7801. Always there are caveats. First St, Duluth, MN 55802 | (218) 723-5281 . Date: January 4, 2023. We are into the advance 28 day forecast period for the Aurora, but as noted on this web page the long range advance forecast is notoriously unreliable. Lawmakers are continuing to work on a two-year budget plan to decide how the surplus will be spent. Long term forecasts are based upon the last time a particular spot on the sun was pointed towards earth (i.e. Renee Alexander will take the reins from retiring CEO, Jerry Hammer. An incoming geomagnetic storm could produce Aurora Borealis on Monday and Tuesday night. We are in an RV group with Bill and Phillis and they gave me your site. This blog is wonderful! When and where would be our best chance of seeing the Northern Lights from the Duluth area. predicts a possible G1 (minor) storm beginning during the afternoon and continuing into the early evening hours Central Daylight Time. This product is based on the OVATION model and provides a 30 to 90 minute forecast of the location and intensity of the aurora. Duluth, MN 5027 Miller Trunk Highway Duluth, MN 55811-1442 218-729-6697 - Duluth; 218-283-4615 - Intl Falls Comments? Or they arrive early during the daytime. Duluth Entertainment Convention Center350 Harbor Dr, Duluth, MN 55802. Clear or cloudy, I'll update the status of the storm status on my Facebook page " Take a look at the cloud cover forecast for 9 p.m. Monday (left) and midnight (right). For 400 years, from the time of Galileo until now, we have been keeping track of the number of these sunspots and, as the trends show in these two graphs, this cycle is predictable. Northern State falls to MN Duluth in semifinals. Additional Info. Moon phase: Waxing Gibbous. Unfortunately Northern Lights displays are difficult to predict. I try to remind myself that nature always has the upper hand and can be as predictable as capricious. Cloud on the above list are among the top 10 coldest cities in the country. My email address may be found on the About Me page. Weather permitting, good northern lights displays could be visible directly overhead in most northern communities. On average, the sun revolves on its axis once every 27-28 days as seen from earth. There's the potential for the northern lights to be seen across much of Minnesota Saturday night thanks to a solar flare, but much of it will depend on cloud cover across the state. I've seen the northern lights as early as 8pm and as late as 8am. Next Steps. If the Northern Lights shine you will need to walk outside and down the hill to cross the lake about 400 yards. First St, Duluth, MN 55802 . Northern Lights Express project. Taking a hike in these areas is almost a religious experience. However, if I were going to visit northern Minnesota and wanted to see the northern lights I would pick on of these two lodges for different reasons. These were photographed on July 15 just north of Duluth, Minn. . Skies are very dark. A map to one of my favorite Northern Lights viewing locations which is a bit north of Duluth may be found at the very bottom of this post. Any chance of a notification group and any hopes for Aurora in July? Thanks to our northern location and vast, dark skies, we in Cook County, Minnesota are lucky enough to see them often. Viewing the Aurora Borealis in the winter is very possible in northern Minnesota. Enthusiast Dashboard. Minnesota Northern Lights Viewing and Photography, Facebook Group Great Lakes Aurora Hunters, Facebook Group Northern Lights | Lake Superior Region, https://www.365daysofbirds.com/2017/01/25/planning-winter-minnesota-northern-lights-trip/, https://www.365daysofbirds.com/2017/09/09/optimizing-your-probability-of-seeing-northern-lights/, Birding the Magical Elixir of Water in the Desert, Surfing the Arctic Riviera at Stony Point, Fighting Grosbeaks of Sax-Zim Bog (Evening and Pine), MN North: Pagami Creek Forest Fire Region, MN South: Minnesota River National Wildlife Refuge, MN South: Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, Uses Ovation Aurora want 45 Ghz or higher in NE Minnesota. Each hour is shown as a small, colored square. It might be tough to see the northern lights in the Twin Cities due to light pollution. The BWCA, the North Shore of Lake Superior, and the Copper Harbor region of the U.P are drop dead gorgeous. Grand Marais, on the north shore of Lake Superior, is one of the best places to view the northern lights in the continental United States. MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minnesota is under a solar storm watch for Saturday night, meaning you might be able to see the northern lights. Will you be looking? Back roads in northern Minnesota are snow packed. Weather.gov > Duluth, MN . Jupiter and Venus embrace on March 1, Astro Bob: 92 moons and counting Meet Jupiter's growing family, Astro Bob: Aurora alert Feb. 19-20, tiny-asteroid impact update, Astro Bob: Don't look now, but there's a giraffe over your head, Astro Bob: Asteroid 2023 CX1 explodes over France; Venus greets Neptune. The shooting happened following a celebration of life. I actually love seeing wolves in the wild, and always hope for a wind in my face as I hike because this means I am downwind of animals and they can not smell me with their superior sense of small. "Astro" Bob King is a freelance writer and retired photographer for the Duluth News Tribune. Bob King. Only hoping to go as far as Duluthish. The planet is moving westward right now and will slowly distance itself from the tiny asterism in the coming nights. One of the best space weather shows of the year. Joshua: It is possible to view the Aurora Borealis in the middle of the Summer in northern Minnesota, but the viewing window each night is short. will drive up from iowa. If the lights start to pop I would still get away from town. Short-term aurora forecast for ABN, North Pole, Alaska, USA, UK . Duluth 2022 Badges+Ball+BBQ. Can you recommend a good town to use as a kind of home base. Categories: Stargazing; BECAUSE WORDS DON'T DO IT JUSTICE . March 17, 2021 10:12am. On this site you'll find: The Alaska Northern Lights forecast in Fairbanks, Anchorage and all the Alaskan territory. The Northern Lights Express (NLX) is a proposed higher speed passenger rail project that would provide rail service between Minneapolis and Duluth. Current Hazards. Isle Royale is super dark, and if the Aurora dances, assuming you have views to the north from your particular location, one may easily view the Northern Lights. , which displays an hourly cloud forecast. A white one indicates overcast. For a photo planning app, I used PlanIt for Photographers. On the day of your hoped for Aurora watching, use Ovation Aurora also linked on this page. My local forecast isn't looking great. The best way to increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights is to get away from . The sun has a heartbeat. Jupiter and Venus embrace on March 1, Astro Bob: 92 moons and counting Meet Jupiter's growing family. Only you can make the determination whether the drive is worth the risk.