March 15, 2013; 8:25 PM

An Earth-Directed coronal mass ejection (CME) occurred during the early morning hours Friday.

The resulting solar flare was pointed directly at the United States for a duration of nearly two hours, according to Hunter Outten. Outten is a contributing forecaster for the AccuWeather Astronomy page.

"The CME is pretty strong and is coming pretty quick," said Outten. An intense Northern Lights show will cover a large part of the northern U.S.

"The lights could be visible for the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania and everywhere northward," said Outten.

The lights may be visible as soon as 4 p.m. EDT Saturday. "The best time to look for them will be around midnight," said Outten. "The states in the northernmost U.S. may be able to see them all night long."

MORE: http://www.accuweather.com/en/features/trend/solar_flare_to_produce_spectac/8181823

Don't dwell on the past it can't be undone. One can, however, influence the future.