Following a dazzling display of the northern lights across much of the U.S. Tuesday night, another spectacular show is expected late Wednesday.

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Tuesday night's geomagnetic activity reached severe levels according to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. The Planetary K-index, a measure of how disturbed the Earth's geomagnetic field is as it gets pelted by charged particles emitted from the sun, maxed out at 8.67 on a scale of 0 to 9. This prompted northern lights sightings as far south as Texas, and a bright light show in the Chicago area between 9 p.m. and midnight.

Tonight's geomagnetic activity is again forecast to reach a K-index of 8 – a severe geomagnetic storm capable of producing widespread northern lights. If NOAA's forecast verifies, northern lights will again be spotted across the U.S. and certainly in the Chicago area.

The sun sets at 4:32 p.m. Wednesday in Chicago. Your best chance of seeing the northern lights this evening will come as geomagnetic activity peaks between 6 p.m. and midnight. While a few high clouds will move through the area, they should be transparent enough that you can still see the light show.

Geomagnetic storms of this magnitude are rare, only occurring roughly 60 days per 11-year solar cycle, or 1.4% of the time according to NOAA. They can cause voltage control problems on long power lines, increase radiation levels for astronauts in spacewalk, interfere with GPS accuracy and high-frequency radio signals, and even cause aircraft to reroute farther from the poles where interference is highest.

What is the best way to see the Northern Lights tonight?

Light pollution makes the northern lights harder to see, but there are things you can do even if you live in the city that can improve your chances of catching the show tonight. 

If you have a camera or cell phone, that also improves your changes; both are capable of getting better images than you may see with the naked eye since they essentially take in more light and read the colors more vividly, according to Nick Sinnott, owner of Chicago Photography Classes.

Among his key tips: find the darkest space you can get, get your phone on a tripod or sturdy surface and try to put something in the foreground for better composition. And if you find yourself near a pro, don't be afraid to reach out.

"What you will see is a lot of photographers out there with tripods. Don't be afraid to go up and talk to them. Ask them, because we've got a really really wonderful photographic community here in Chicago, and it certainly will be willing to show you your shots and point you in the right direction," Sinnott said. 

First heading toward the lakefront or other areas with less pollution will help. Sinnott said Montroe and North Avenue beaches are both good, as is the area around the Adler Planetarium. 

He also said your best photos might take a few seconds for your camera to capture, as long exposures help pick up the colors, so be sure to have patience.