Severe weather and the Northern Lights: Spectacular Nights in Saxony!

Severe weather and the Northern Lights: Spectacular Nights in Saxony!

Striegistal, Deutschland - in Cologne is a weather phenomenon on the march tonight, which not only deals with the meteorologists, but also many Cologne names: in the inside in front of the door. Showers and sometimes violent thunderstorms move through the region, while the sky loosens from the west. The temperatures drop to a pleasant 16 to 12 degrees Celsius. The coming week promises a rather cool weather with values ​​of up to 19 degrees Celsius, before the sun returns and brings summer temperatures, as the MDR reports.

A very special highlight of the last nights are the Northern Lights that were visible in several regions of Germany. This breathtaking sight is the result of a mass outline of invited particles from the sun, which was registered by the US atmospheric authority NOAA. Even if the precise predictions are challenging, it cannot be denied that the likelihood of seeing polar lights has now also risen in medium latitudes. According to ZDF there are even good visibility, especially in the middle of Germany and the northwest, including North Rhine-Westphalia.

a heavenly acting

In the Striegistal in Central Saxony, for example, a passionate photographer took the opportunity and filmed the northern lights over the sky blanket. Such sights have been rare in recent years, but thanks to the current sun activity, they are now surprisingly easy to observe. The sun cycle 25 is currently on its most active side, which increases the chances of further spectacular aurorae. Experts recommend looking west to possibly catch this impressive play of light.

The solar activity that we are currently experiencing is not just an issue for hobby astronomers. According to Max-Planck Society, the northern lights are a direct episode of solar storms that result in the outbreaks of loaded plasma. These mass throps can reach the earth within just one day and have the potential to trigger geomagnetic storms. The KP index, which measures the disorders of the earth's magnetic field, provides indications of the likelihood of polar lights, which is currently considered increased.

A look into the future

The past few months have already impressively demonstrated what the sun can do: In May 2024, a geomagnetic storm of the highest category G5 led to an unsealing, colorful spectacle in the night sky over Germany. This makes the current storm all the more exciting, since it is also considered one of the more important of the sun cycle. In such a solar activity, the northern lights are not a guarantee, but by no means unreachable. What remains is the hope of clear nights to admire the work of the sun.

whether as a natural phenomenon or scientific appearance, the northern lights are always a reason to look up and enjoy the night sky - especially now that the conditions are so promising. So eyes up, maybe there is also a great spectacle in Cologne!