The mesmerizing spectacle of the aurora borealis, or the northern lights, that illuminated the skies over the Chicago area three weeks ago is set to make a comeback this weekend. However, the chances of witnessing the radiant phenomenon in the city remain uncertain.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a moderate geomagnetic storm is predicted to occur in the Northern Hemisphere late on Friday night and early Saturday. This storm is expected to push the aurora borealis farther south than usual, with a possibility of reaching the northern edge of Illinois.

Unfortunately, the solar storm is not anticipated to produce an equally dazzling display as observed during the previous occurrence in the Chicago area. The NOAA has issued a G2 storm watch, categorizing the activity as moderate. In comparison, the earlier event in May was classified as severe (G4), leading to levels of extreme activity (G5), which is the highest on the scale.

NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center spokesperson, Erica Cei, explained that the current resurgence in activity is due to the rotation of the sunspot cluster responsible for the May event back into Earth's view. Cei highlighted that such sunspot clusters can maintain their strength for extended periods.

The Space Weather Prediction Center indicated that the aurora borealis could possibly be visible in the northern Midwest states, ranging from Idaho to New York. It is recommended to check the aurora borealis forecast on the website swpc.noaa.gov for more information.

The northern lights, a constant occurrence near the planet's polar regions, are triggered by coronal mass ejections of solar material from the sun, which interact with Earth's magnetic field, resulting in a geomagnetic storm. The collisions between this solar material and the atoms and molecules in Earth's upper atmosphere produce the dazzling neon lights.

While the chances of observing the northern lights in the Chicago area this weekend are not guaranteed, sky enthusiasts and residents in northern Illinois can hope for a glimpse of this natural marvel. Keep an eye on the forecast and prepare to be captivated by the celestial dance of colors if luck is on our side.