Stunning Photos of Last Night’s Aurora’s Over the Sioux Empire

The Northern Lights lit up much of the Upper Midwest last night and if you missed out, there's a good chance you'll get another chance this evening.

It was certainly a rare occurrence. In fact, the auroras made their way all the way to the southern U.S. last night, which almost never happens.

This was a result of a unique geomagnetic storm being called "the cannibal" and it may happen tonight as well.

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On Monday, two Coronal Mass Ejections lifted off the sun a few hours apart,” the survey’s geomagnetism team explained in an email. “The first one was moving more slowly than the second … and so the second one caught up with the first one and they amalgamated together by the time they reached Earth. Hence, the term ‘cannibalised’, as the second one gobbled up the first one.

-British Geological Survey

What exactly does that mean? The "cannibal" CME is not one storm, but two or more solar eruptions that merged into a single, exceptionally powerful wave. And some experts believe that the geomagnetic storm skygazers in the Sioux Empire were in awe of last night could get even bigger. A lot bigger.

Current predictions suggest that a second storm, feeding off the first, will result in potentially the largest solar storm to hit our planet in over two decades. Scientists believe that it has the potential to achieve the maximum level of G5 on the NOAA storm scale.

-BGS Website

Let's hope a G5 storm doesn't take place, as that could cause some serious damage. According to NOAA, G5 storms can lead to power grid failures, electric blackouts, and even shut down transformers.

As for the likelihood of the northern lights in the Sioux Empire tonight, Dakota News Now is reporting that those who live in the area should be able to view them again this evening. Skies will be mostly cloudy until around 10 pm, but the clouds should lift after that. Your best bet is to drive out to the countryside for the best viewing.

Story Sources: Aurora Borealis Page National Weather Service Website, CNN Website