Those keeping an early eye out for Santa Claus may catch a glimpse of a colorful night sky as the northern lights could be visible in parts of the country on Tuesday, Dec. 23.
The Space Weather Prediction Center's forecasted view line for the lights does not extend as far south as it did on Dec. 22; however, parts of seven states should be able to see them again on the penultimate day before Christmas.
The center said a minor geomagnetic storm is forecast due to effects from the sun and strong solar winds.
Forecasters say the winds will continue through Thursday, Dec. 25. They add that additional "enhancements" could arrive Dec. 24 due to a large expulsion of plasma and magnetic field from the sun's corona called a coronal mass ejection. Those enhancements would give Nochebuena a colorful astral backdrop.
According to the prediction center, the best time to view the northern lights will be between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. It adds that moving away from light pollution provides a better opportunity for seeing the lights.
