Greater chance to spot Northern Lights in Minnesota tonight

There's a slightly greater chance to see the Northern Lights Monday night and early Tuesday, due to a darker, cooler region on the sun.

The Space Weather Prediction Center, a branch of the National Weather Service, said a moderate geomagnetic storm may increase the chances of spotting the Aurora Borealis, especially in northern and middle Minnesota.

"If you have clear dark skies and can get away from city lights, you might be able to catch the Northern Lights if you look north tonight," said Rodney Viereck, director of research at the Space Weather Prediction Center.

Viereck said the best time for viewing will be from 10 p.m. Monday to 4 a.m. early Tuesday. You can track the forecast at the space weather center's website.

The geomagnetic storm, Viereck said, is caused by a darker spot on the sun called a coronal hole. They appear darker in EUV (extreme ultraviolet) and soft x-ray solar images because they're cooler and less dense than the surrounding plasma.

"It's not a sunspot and it's not a big deal, we get these probably 10 to 12 times a year and it gives us a little bit more activity," Viereck said. "Since we saw one of these 27 days ago, it's much easier to predict."