Keep your eyes on the skies this weekend. There’s a chance you could see a phenomenon known as the Northern Lights.

The Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a Severe Geomagnetic Storm Watch (G4 strength) — its first since January 2005.

A major group of solar flares (or “coronal mass ejections”) are expected to arrive as early as this afternoon and persist through Sunday, May 12th. This is an unusual event.

With the strength of the flares, there is a decent chance of the Northern Lights at least being seen in northern portions of Missouri and into west central Illinois.

The aurora may be visible as far south as Alabama to northern California. The best way to see Northern Lights is to get away from city lights into a dark, rural surrounding and look north.

Aside from some clouds associated with a passing front tonight, much of the time looks mostly clear.

On a larger scale, geomagnetic storms can cause problems with power grids, radio, and satellite navigation.