Northern Lights tease the Pacific Northwest. Will Portland miss out?
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Sky watchers, get ready! While Portland will likely miss out on the show, parts of eastern Oregon and areas of northern Washington have the best shot at catching the northern lights tonight.
A recent burst of solar activity has sparked the potential for some aurora sightings across the Pacific Northwest. However, visibility will depend on latitude, location and sky conditions.
The Space Weather Prediction Center at NOAA shows the "view line" of the aurora borealis cutting through central and southeast Washington and northeastern Oregon. That means many folks in Portland and western Oregon will just miss out on views of the dazzling lights.
If you are in the potential viewing area, your best bet will be to head somewhere dark and away from city lights. Look northward and for a faint glow shimmering across the sky. Your mobile camera with a long shutter speed may help to capture some of the aurora's colors.
Good luck!