The Northern Lights from Lynn Street in Queen Anne overlooking Lake Union.
Photos courtesy of Laura Marie Rivera
Most people that live in the Pacific Northwest have heard about aurora borealis, or the Northern Lights. But because of their elusive beauty and further complicated by the Seattle weather, they are rarely seen in our area.
Last Friday, Seattleites were treated to a rare occurrence when a severe geomagnetic storm produced Northern Lights. By most counts, it was the greatest show in the last twenty years. And as luck would have it, the storm coincided with clear skies for optimal viewing.
The Northern Lights from Kerry Park.
Locals started to prepare when reports of the storm circulated in the news. And as the west coast waited for the sun to set, people from other times zones were sharing their photos online. While aurora enthusiasts usually head away from the light pollution of the cities, this storm was powerful enough that the show could be seen from right here in the city.
Neighbors in Queen Anne reported being able to see the lights from their porches and backyards. But some went “chasing the aurora” throughout the neighborhood. At 11:00pm, the lights were flaring and there was a large group of people at the Lynn Street lookout facing east. One lady reported having been there since sunset. And many went down to Kerry Park to enjoy the lights.
The Northern Lights from Lynn Street in Queen Anne overlooking Lake Union.