FARGO — The Space Weather Prediction Center down graded it's geomagnetic storm warning, meaning it's likely the Northern Lights will miss the metro area tonight.
The warning for a strong geomagnetic storm was issued for yesterday night and tonight, Dr. Juan Cabanela says even though conditions weren't right this time, the aurora is going to happen more often as the sun becomes more active.
"For the next few years, it's going to be ramping up probably. It's not a guarantee - you can get a big aura almost any time during the cycle. It's just when one of these particular explosions happen and when it's directed towards earth," said Cabanela.
Solar flares, or explosions on the sun, cause the Northern Lights, only if enough particles make it into the earth's atmosphere.
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"It's quite a bit different than seeing it on the horizon, which is fairly common around here, when you see it on the northern horizon. But when it actually creeps down further south, when it's around Fargo-Moorhead, then it's pretty stunning," said Cabanela.
Cabanela says when these storms happen, it is be best to get out of the city lights to see the aurora.
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