Will the northern lights be visible in Colorado tonight?

Coloradans may be able to see the aurora borealis Sunday night as a severe geomagnetic storm watch continues according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The NOAA s Space Weather Prediction Center issued a severe G geomagnetic storm watch for Sunday the second strongest storm level on the scale G storms are rare according to space weather bureaucrats When strong geomagnetic storms hit Earth the northern lights will be visible at unusually low latitudes However space weather personnel explained this storm s orientation has been trending north making it less likely the lights will be as visible as they have in the past Should the orientation shift south activity could escalate rapidly space weather administrators disclosed Maps circulated by the Space Weather Prediction Center showing the northern lights projected reach Sunday night include the tip of northern Colorado The northern lights likely won t be seen overhead if they do appear but could be visible on Colorado s northern horizon after dark if the skies remain clear space weather executives noted For the best chance to view the aurora borealis Coloradans should head for an area as far north as realizable that s free from light impurity If they watch closely they may be able to see the green purple and pink lights with their naked eyes space weather personnel announced Cell phone cameras can also enhance the colors and make the northern lights easier to see The lights intensity and color will vary depending on the watcher s distance from the aurora and how strong the geomagnetic storm is This is a evolving story and may be updated Related Articles Colorado weather Afternoon thunderstorms to bring damaging winds severe hail DIA ground stop lifted thunderstorms delay hundreds of flights Colorado weather Tornado watch issued for southeast Colorado apple-sized hail attainable More than flights delayed dozens canceled at Denver International Airport More than flights delayed at Denver International Airport Get more Colorado news by signing up for our daily Your Morning Dozen email newsletter