Update: Newport Has 'Good' Chance of Northern Lights Tonight

Updated Saturday 10:18 a.m.

If you look up at the sky around 8 p.m. tonight, you might see a spectacular dance of light and colors, or the Northern Lights.  Northern Lights is also known as the Aurora Borealis.

An Accuwather weather map upgraded Newport's chance of viewing Northern Lights from "fair" to "good" Saturday.  If there is cloud cover, Northern Lights will not be visible.

Northern parts of Rhode Island remain remain with a "fair" chance.

Most of the country will have poor to fair views as a result of cloud cover, and states further south are not expected to see the Northern Lights at all.  

Flares create auroras when the sun's radiation interact with energetic charged particles in the atmosphere. The result is a spectacular display of light and color for areas with clear enough views.

If visible, the colorful display would begin around 8 p.m. Saturday and could last seven hours.

Tips for seeing Northern Lights

1) generally occur around midnight or after
2) get away from any source of light pollution. Drive away from the city or even its suburbs.
3) dress warmly
4) If it is forecasted to be cloudy, you will not see them
5) be patient

tips source: AccWeather.com Astronomy Facebook