Lake ErieAfter Dark

Stories by Samhi C., Kristen Hampshire and Colleen Smitek

Chase the Northern Lights

If you’re up for the challenge, this is the ultimate Lake Erie adventure.

See that photo on the cover of this issue? It’s the northern lights, also called the aurora borealis — and it was taken in Ohio.

Yeah, we didn’t think that was possible either.

Even the photographer, who’s been chasing the northern lights in these parts for years, wasn’t certain that was possible.

“I honestly couldn’t believe it made it that good a show in Ohio,” says Matt Shiffler, who lives in Cleveland. “I was blown away that it reached Ohio like that.”

The showing was due to a rare confluence of atmospheric events, according to experts. Specifically, it’s increased sunspot activity sending flares down into our atmosphere.

“When that all collides, that’s what causes the aurora and the lights to show,” Shiffler says.

Shiffler took his photo this April, but he says the northern lights are predicted to be showing even more intensely in the Lake Erie region as we head into 2024.

To be in the right place in the right time, Shiffler turns to, well, his phone.

His favorite app is called Aurora Now — Northern Lights. On the night he took this photo, it showed a 50% probability of the lights being visible along Ohio’s stretch of Lake Erie.

Those were the highest odds he’d ever seen, so he headed out — and stayed out till 3:30 a.m.

“It’s so unpredictable,” he says. “But I would say just get out there and try to experience it. It is a chase. There is a chance for disappointment. That’s half the fun. A night under the stars brings a lot of calm and peace. It’s a beautiful night regardless. Just keep trying.”