Lyrid Meteor Shower Coming To Lake Elsinore-Wildomar: How To See

LAKE ELSINORE/WILDOMAR, CA — The Lyrids are coming, Lake Elsinore and Wildomar.

What are they? Meteors — and they are expected to produce a medium strength shower this year starting April 16 and peaking around April 22.

The Lyrids usually produce "good rates for three nights centered on the maximum (April 22)," and are often observed as fireballs, according to the American Meteor Society. Their source is particles of dust from the "long-period" comet, Thatcher.

The meteors are best seen from the northern hemisphere — that's you Lake Elsinore and Wildomar — high in the sky after moonset and before dawn. During the peak shower, expect to see about 20 meteors per hour.

The Lyrids have been observed and reported since 687 B.C. — no other modern shower has been recorded as far back in time, according to NASA.

The Lake Elsinore/Wildomar weather forecast calls for partly cloudy skies during much of the Lyrid shower, but forecasters are predicting clearer nighttime skies on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. During the peak shower period, the moon will be about 68 percent full.

Learn more about the Lyrids — and how to view them — from NASA.