The northern lights are expected to appear over northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula skies Monday night, Oct. 6, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) forecast, but cloudy skies are likely to make viewing a challenge as the National Weather Service predicts rain on the way.

The view line on SWPC's dashboard map shows people in up to nine states could see the northern lights, or aurora borealis, Monday night. Michiganders as far south as West Branch, Manistee and Cadillac may be able to see the shimmering lights in the night sky to the north, NOAA says.

However, local NWS offices forecast potential rain and clouds overnight, with thunderstorms possible in some regions of northern Michigan, likely dampening northern lights viewing chances.

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