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As We Thaw, We Might See the Northern Lights

Weather permitting, people in northern states - including Wisconsin, may be able to view nature's light show. Your best chance may be Thursday evening.

The sun fired a strong solar flare earlier this week. When it approaches Earth early Thursday, the flare is expected to shake the planet's magnetic field and expand the Aurora Borealis.

Joe Kunches, a federal forecaster, predicts much of Canada and northern U.S. will be able to view the shimmering lights. Among the cities he advises to look to the sky: Boston, Cleveland, Seattle, Des Moines and Chicago - which puts Milwaukee in the coverage zone.

The Northern Lights display should continue through Friday.

As for the solar storm that fired the flare, it may disrupt GPS devices on Thursday and is already prompting rerouting of some airline flights.