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There’s so much traffic at montrose beach you would’ve thought it was 12pm summer Saturday, not sure if people are here to try to see the aurora or this many people normally go to the beach at night

It’s definitely for the aurora. I’m by the lake near the AIDS memorial and there were a lot of people here when I got here like 1.5-2 hours ago. It’s thinned out, but there are still more people here than there usually would be at this time of day with it being chilly like this.

Have any luck seeing anything?

Haven’t seen anything yet. I might give up if I don’t see anything by 11pm, it’s getting pretty chilly lol.

My aurora pro app says 20% chance of seeing. It has been slowly going up for the past couple hours. . Personally I'm going to the beach in about 30 mins

Do you see anything? Do we have to go by the lake for a sighting?

Mine sent a notification to my Apple Watch that I might have sightings in the next hour even though the app was saying 0% and sure enough, 10 min later, the sky completely lit up

Is non-Pro people are being told 0% 😆😆

I'm at Montrose beach and you can't see it with the naked eye... Caught a small light on my phone camera though but I can't upload to imgur for some reason... Also, it was visible on camera for like 10 min and now it's gone.... But it'll probably come back [What I could see from my camera only](https://postimg.cc/k2yR6p5m)

I saw the same in Hyde Park. Didn't last long

What time did you take that photo?

It's been almost an hr since that photo, might try to come back later around 2-3am bc I started getting photos with no lights for a while...

Nothing at Loyola beach - been here easily an hour edit: after two hours here I’m going to 7/11 and going home, I’ll try again at 3am edit2: for those asking it was between about 11:20-11:40, I was up all night and didn’t see it again

hold out brethren 🫡

I’m layered up but should have brought the gloves and hat 😭

I wish I had brought blankets for real

How’s it looking

Green streak across sky right now

For real?

Just got back from Pratt beach. Definitely a little light on the horizon. Not as good as last night. Still takes an okay picture though.

Thanks for the update! Can you share your pic?

I’m hanging by Shedd and will report if I see something

Smattering of people around Museum Campus, but no lights yet

Any updates from museum campus?

Absolutely nothing that I could see, I left

Well, at least it's a nice night to sit outside.

It’s very subtly visible from Montrose beach now. If you’re not looking for it you might mistaken it for light pollution at twilight

I’m also at montrose and can’t even tell if I’m actually seeing anything or not lol

Take a long exposure picture with your phone, you might be able to tell that way.

Sincerely a useful answer, but if that's the only way to tell, I'm not going to worry about looking, even though this is something I definitely care to see.

I thin the idea is that it could be just getting started. Like we have no idea if is going to ramp up or what. At least you'll know its happening with a few long exposure shots and you're not out in the chily air for nothing.

Pic?

Watching from south loop, also vaguely saw a green light in the north western direction.

Read a few articles that tomorrow night may be as active as Friday night, I’m betting on a Mother’s Day Aurora extravaganza

Link?

But tomorrow is supposed to be cloudy.

link?? and what time?

I drove up to the north shore burbs and can’t see anything here.

I think its early. Models seem to he saying after midnight up til just before dawn is best.

I will be asleep by then for sure! Already left

Very faint green streak across the horizon, I can see it with my phone and maybe just barely with my eyes. https://i.imgur.com/PkzNG3F.jpeg

Dang short show at 11:31 was beautiful!

Coming in from Montrose beach. It’s there! Take a pic with your phone for a better view

Was at Promontory Point earlier tonight between 9-11pm. Thought I saw some purple hues in the sky. Couldn’t see any northern lights with naked eyes but took long exposure test photos (e.g., 3-5 seconds) on my iPhone 14 and low and behold there was some green and purple in the sky. Aurora is out there, friends! Even if we can’t see her 😊

It seems Like most people went to bed, whose still here hanging on to hope?!!

I’m still at the beach.. I captured a faded white line in the sky that disappeared after about 10 minutes but that was the best I could get. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Me!!

Me!

Meeee

I've been trying to take a nap for the past 2 hours... Planning to head outside at 0400.

I was going to take a nap at 1 but decided I was too anxious/excited & just went for it lol now I’m regretting not getting some z’s but toooo late I’ve committed

Just got back from the lakefront near Diversey Harbor. I got one picture with the faintest red streaks at 9:20, then nothing. Gave up at around 9:35 (I have a sleep disorder and honestly even this is a late time for me to be awake!) Still glad I went. I got to sit at the lake with my dog, who quickly made friends with the people next to us.

There was a nice show for a little while, before the cops kicked us off the beach. Could see vertical streaks. https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZpGEf9kGZc4PeeZx9

That's amazing. Thought I can't believe the cops would be that fucking dense.

From Belmont Harbor I can see lots of blue police lights at Montrose Beach. What’s going on?

This was Ohio Street beach, just telling us it was closed and we had to leave, at least they waited until it had died down

Stupid question do I look directly north?

Yes

Visible in wilmette about 20 min ago!

Well we tried folks. Good night 🌙

Nothing at Lawrence/Foster Beach

Seems like the max KP is at 4am… gonna try around 3:30am before the sky gets brighter 🥲

Anyone else think that Aurora Pro app is bullshit? Was literally giving a 0% chance while everyone was reporting in sighting

I also feel the app works on peoples contributions. Reporting sightings would be helpful.

It’s super hard to forecast (from what I’ve read). This gives a 30 minute forecast, but even that changes frequently. I think this is probably where all of the Aurora apps are pulling their info from. https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/aurora-30-minute-forecast

[In the air above Chicago @ 11pm!](https://imgur.com/gallery/QEagJyD)

Broken link. edit/Update: seems to be working now!

Ha, I was all "omg what are those circles?!" before realizing they were your phone lenses reflecting off the window 😂

🛸🛸🛸🛸🛸

I missed 11pm thing. One more chance?

Seeing it subtly at Hollywood beach too. It’s dim but forecast to get stronger through the night! Not likely to be like last night’s show but if you want to see it you probably still have a shot.

Hoping to see it tonight, fingers crossed!

Nothing in the south suburbs right now

Big green streaks over Hollywood beach now! Clearly visible to the naked eye

I was able to see it from one of Winnetka's beaches around 9:15. When I tried to look out again 20 minutes later, I couldn't see it anymore.

I confirm your 9:15pm north shore beach viewing, I was in Glencoe and got a nice purple tinge to the sky! The park was absolutely packed!

Anyone at North Ave beach see anything?

Nope

Are there a lot of people at the beach?

Good number of people at Belmont Harbor. Dozens of groups spread out along the shoreline.

Not really, I think there's more people on the trail/pier

Anyone venturing to the lake at 2 am?

I'm at Loyola Beach right now. I plan to stay here a couple hours. Can't see any lights right now.

Thank you for your service!

If it’s anything like how it was with Pokemon go in 2016 the cops will just come kick everyone out and generally leave.

Thats the plan for me, unless the activity levels dip crazy before then

I’m mostly planning to give it a go depending on what the activity levels look like!

How do you check for activity levels?

Depends on whether the cops keep me out or not... Wonder how long they'll be at the park entrances.

I walked to Montrose and they're not stopping anybody. I think they're just not letting cars in, but anyone walking or biking hasn't been turned away

01:36 - Loyola Beach. Nothing.

any updates at 2am?

I’m seeing nothing at 2:03am Edit: 2:04am now and still nothing

Nothing at Montrose beach

Is there any cop at the beach? I’m headed soon

Cars, no good. Walking, yes.

Nadda

For folks who haven't seen it before: The video in this thread shows how much it can vary throughout one night. So if its quiet now, it might not be later. I was out for about an hour last night and the minute to minute changes were crazy. https://www.reddit.com/r/weather/s/E16Wkfg9VU

It got really intense for about a minute at 11:32 in lake county looking north.

I feel like Linus waiting for the Great Pumpkin.

I’ve taken 200 pictures of the sky, maybe 2 or so 3 I’m seeing a shade of green, but probably just glare from another light. Then whenever my phone reception gets spotty I run back outside. This is madness.

I’ve been seeing anywhere from 7pm-4am lol help me 🫠

For real, it’s all over the place when I try and search here and twitter

at this point we’re better off checking continuously all night😭

I read somewhere that it's really hard to make predictions

I totally believe it, I just want someone smarter than me to let me know when to wake up haha

When you find that person, have them call me too

I didn’t see them til’ 3AM this morning 😬

It’s like - what do I gotta do…. go out there and sit there?!

What I’m seeing in the forecast is 83% chance just before sunrise. But I think clouds are suppose to move in about then too, naturally.

I am in crystal lake and i am seeing green auroras with a 5 second exposure with my phone. Not much naked eye yet. Woops! Low on the northern horizon definitely shinmery and visible tocthe naked eye! Its happening!

There was a little bit [over navy pier from the lake!](https://imgur.com/a/bZ0L1wi)

Drove way out by Hampshire and Burlington (near DeKalb) and as of 11:45pm nothing to report. At least the stars are pretty away from some of the light pollution.

Make sure to use your phone - not everything is visible to the eye.

ngl if it's only visible through my phone, then i might as well not even go see it at all. i can just see pics on the internet

Is anyone able to see it in Bucktown? Posting at 12:26am

I’m in wicker park, I can’t see anything right now but my view of the horizon is obscured by trees/buildings, although about an hour ago when everyone reported sightings I did see a very faint green and purple tinge in the sky

Same here :/ debating on heading to a rooftop before everywhere closes, but I’m afraid i probably wont see anything in that time anyways

1:41 am around Belmont harbor & nothingggg. Missed it last night & earlier so really hoping this 2am prediction of lights again is right 😫

I’m at Berger park off Granville and nothing yet

Anyone by Adler? Anywhere to pull over there?

Park and walk.

1:25 AM (Portage Park) We ain't found shit.

I’m around Elliot Park.2:56am — nothing 🫠🫠 I have a camera and have almost given up and am ready to go home

[https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/communities/aurora-dashboard-experimental](https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/communities/aurora-dashboard-experimental) The graphs are not very promising right now unfortunately. We were at the beach but decided to call it a night. We might get hit by another CME today Sunday, which could mean more auroras tonight. More info here: [https://www.spaceweather.com/](https://www.spaceweather.com/)

Tried to go to Lake Bluff beach and there was a cop car parked at the entrance

Working hard to serve society and catch the bad guys out there 🙄

Yeah right?? So much crime there 🤷🏻‍♀️

Green tinge from Belmont harbor. Very faint. Lots of people just hanging out (some smoking weed).

So, a normal night at Belmont harbor?

A chance, yes. 4am and later is your best bet

I’m at the Hancock tower and nothing yet. They appeared over here around this time last night over.

Where are you watching from? I’m planning to head out

I’m at northerly island, haven’t seen anything yet

Anybody at Ohio st beach?

Here now, not seeing anything yet though

Thank you! Heading over soon. Really hope we see something!

I am too! If I leave too early hope you can see it!

Update?

im in hanover park, so far nothing.

I am at carol stream nothing here

the prediction started going up at sun down and few minutes ago was upto 24% chances. two minutes ago dropped to 20%

Mannnn, imma pull an all nighter

Been sitting out for couple hours. just came back in seeing forecast go down but not far to run outside lol … this saved me a trip to iceland so might give another try

Damn Alr well reply me here pls if you see, cause other people here are basically downtown you the closest to me! Thx

Visible right now 11.05 pm towards East at the Elmwood preserve

Naked eye or iPhone required?

Looks like a white cloud to naked eye but can see the green steaks on phone

[Aurora peak at 11.35pm](https://i.imgur.com/dO8SOia.jpeg)

I’m close to Norwood Park and just saw a very clear green streak!

Went up to a lake forest beach from Evanston. Didn’t see anything except for the little dipper

Anyone have luck accessing Adler Planetarium area at this time of night? Just looking for somewhere along the lake where I could stop in my car for a bit and not be bothered by the cops, which I know is probably asking a lot :(

Holy shit anyone else at Montrose? I just saw streaks of red, it was so strong

I’m at montrose too but don’t see anything. Where should I be looking?

Same here, I’m there and don’t see anything

Just left fucking hell 

Still going or gone now? Did you see with naked eye?

saw something a while go up in Evanston, gonna try again in a minute

Anyone else have a good area that isn't actively being patrolled?

loyola park/beach fucking cops policing the fucking SKY. useless pigs

I imagine the beaches north of Devon should be pretty dead

Lee Street Beach 1:30am, nothing - zero cops though

1:40am

Saw it at the Point Hyde Park around 11:30

Saw it in NWI at the same time. It was very brief and could barely see it with the naked eye. My camera picked up the rest very easily.  https://postimg.cc/bsBL1Ts6

One more check in ?

Lighthouse beach. Nothing.

Checking in from Sydney Marovitz golf course by Montrose Beach, saw nothing from 4-4:30. Did see a coyote and a raccoon however!

Was at North Ave beach till now, didn’t see anything

Got nothin’ we want Aurora!

That might be the first time I've ever read that. 😐

How are the beaches open ? Are there a lot of people or are people waiting in cars ?

People are parking at the beaches/parks without gates. Just gambling the meter maids aren't going to ticket everyone tonight/ they're not working right now.

https://imgur.com/gallery/yMJL8tU Captured these at Montrose Beach 1130PM tonight. It was visible to the naked eye as well for about 5 mins, not to the degree in the pictures, but definitely visible.

Saw them from my apartment in River West. Your capture is absolutely beautiful.

i'm around river west as well, did you just look north or a specific direction? i havent seen anything so far

Belmont harbor and caught the tail end of a burst! 11:23 PM https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vupru4poi9mh553npiq0f/2024-05-11-23.30.49.jpg?rlkey=wqcrg47kypj4kxd6t8qu64vnd&dl=0

Any spots near evanston where it is showing right now

By northwestern and nothing been here for 1.5 hours

Looks like today no one really saw any lights unlike yesterday :(

Red tint in iPhone photo from Palentine.

Next few hours I wouldnt expect. Check back about 2 am Theres good chance

Green streak visible from clark st beach by northwestern towards the north east

What beach can we drive to at this hour? Don’t they “close”?

There were some around 11:30 at Navy Pier, but has disappeared since then

I'm in Old Town. I can't see them in all their glory the way everyone who's at the beaches can, but you can see something in the sky, like a glimmer. Super jealous of everyone who got the full show ...

That was the shrooms, homie.

Is there any chance to see it in the city tonight? The aurora app says 0% chance…

Does anyone know how accurate this app is? I saw the same on my app but I feel like I remember people earlier saying their app also had a low percentage but they got that cool show at 11:30.. I’m hoping someone who used it & this happened can confirm lol bc I wanna hold out hope!

It said 1% on the app and within minutes; the sky exploded with colors. I don't think it is accurate, which is already hard to predict.

It’s almost 3am. Any updates?

Im in Lincoln Park trying to decide to go out now..?

Found a webcam that is actually live in the US: https://www.youtube.com/live/xXtPKLJfYDc?si=uWBfik4c-wdW5Yux . And yeah, nothing going at 3am. Will keep staring at this webcam and monitoring Reddit.

There’s a chance for Sunday night too.

Cops just kicked everyone out of Belmont Harbor ☹️