Geomagnetic storm could make northern lights visible in Chicago on Sunday night

The northern lights could be visible in Chicago and other parts of the U.S. thanks to a severe geomagnetic storm.

The Space Weather Prediction Center recorded a storm with a strength of G4, or severe, Sunday morning. Its effects are likely to last into Monday morning, meaning the aurora borealis, or the Northern Lights, could be visible as far south as central Illinois, the center forecasts.

In the Chicago area, clear skies are forecast Sunday night into Monday morning, making the lights more likely to be visible.

By Monday night, the likelihood of being able to see the northern lights in Chicago drops considerably.

The geomagnetic storm comes from a coronal mass ejection passing over Earth and other geomagnetic activity. The ejection carries charged atoms, which cause the northern lights to be visible in the sky, the Space Weather Prediction Center says.

The coronal mass ejection passage is weakening, but solar wind conditions are elevated Sunday, meaning the geomagnetic storm could still be classified as severe.

When a severe geomagnetic storm impacts Earth, the northern lights are visible farther south, with the most severe storms making the lights visible as far south as parts of Texas, Mississippi and Alabama.

The intensity of the storm is difficult to predict and often fluctuates, so people hoping to see the northern lights are encouraged to be patient when looking skyward.

The geomagnetic activity can affect GPS systems, power grids and certain communication systems, but most have the technology to counteract the interference.