Minnesota Could Get A Spectacular ‘Double-Whammy’ Show In The Sky This Weekend

If the weather cooperates, Minnesotans could be in for a pretty spectacular opportunity in the sky as we head into the weekend!

Two different night sky phenomena look to coincide to give what could be a phenomenal spectacle over the state.

Here's a breakdown:

Part 1 of the night sky 'double whammy'

The Perseid meteor shower will be reaching its peak by the end of this weekend. The annual meteor shower peaks in mid-August, with things ramping up to their predicted peak on Sunday night.

This means that the next couple of nights will give the highest number of meteors per hour through the course of this weeks-long nightly show through the later half of summer.

As we approach the peak, up to nearly 100 meteors per hour could be visible! While meteors will be visible through the night, the highest number of meteors are possible in the time shortly before dawn.

Looking to the Northeastern sky is where you're most likely to see meteors, but it is possible to see them anywhere in the sky when you're away from city lights.

Making this year particularly special is that the moon sets around midnight during this year's peak, making for a darker sky, and making it even easier to see the meteor streaks.

Part 2 of the night sky 'double whammy'

In addition to the meteor shower, the Space Weather Prediction Center is calling for a G2 geomagnetic storm watch for this weekend, giving us a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights too!

KP-index numbers could reach 5-6 through the weekend, with the best odds coming Friday possibly again Saturday night.

READ MORE: These are scientifically the best viewing locations for Northern Lights in Minnesota

When KP numbers reach these levels, the chance of overhead Northern Lights extends southward into Minnesota, with most of the state getting a chance for either seeing the auroras overhead or on the northern horizon.

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The combination of this Northern Lights show and the meteor shower reaching its peak, all while the moon sets by around midnight gives some pretty rare and spectacular night sky viewing and photography opportunities!

Will the weather cooperate?

In short, it depends on where you live. Portions of Northeastern Minnesota could see some cloud cover on Friday night, while elsewhere in the state could see clearer conditions.

Saturday, clearer conditions are expected statewide.