If you’re in Montreal tonight, you might want to keep an eye on the sky — there’s a chance the northern lights could make a rare summer appearance over the city.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is forecasting elevated geomagnetic activity between Wednesday night and early Thursday, June 19. That could mean increased aurora visibility across large parts of Canada, including southern Quebec. Although the aurora borealis is typically easier to spot between August and May, when nights are longer, this surge in solar activity might offer Montrealers one last good chance to catch a glimpse before the season winds down.
The most intense displays are expected farther north and west in places like Yellowknife, Whitehorse, and Jasper, but Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City, and other major centres still fall within NOAA’s projected visibility range. That means a faint green or reddish glow might be visible along the northern horizon, weather permitting.
How to see northern lights in Montreal
Seeing the northern lights from Montreal is tricky, but not impossible. To improve your odds, try heading somewhere with as little artificial light as possible and a wide-open view to the north. That means skipping downtown and aiming for spots like Parc-nature du Cap-Saint-Jacques, Parc des Rapides, or even a dark stretch along the St. Lawrence.
Timing matters too. The best viewing window tends to fall between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., with the strongest activity often happening around midnight. Keep an eye on NOAA’s short-term aurora forecast map, which shows real-time predictions of where the lights might be visible.
For extra tips on what to look for and when to look, the Canadian Space Agency also offers guidance for aurora watchers.
Will Montreal’s weather spoil the show?
If the skies cooperate, you could spot faint green waves above the northern horizon — though it won’t be the full-sky spectacle seen in places like Yellowknife or Whitehorse. Still, catching even a flicker of aurora in Montreal is rare and worth the effort.
That said, Mother Nature might not make it easy tonight.
Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Montreal, with a 100% chance of showers and possible thunderstorms lasting through the evening and overnight hours. From now until midnight, the forecast is calling for steady rain, warm and muggy conditions (feeling as hot as 35°C earlier in the day), and increasing cloud cover.
If you’re still holding out hope, your best bet is to keep an eye on the skies after midnight. Cloud breaks are always possible — and sometimes the northern lights can peek through at just the right moment. But given tonight’s forecast, it’ll be a long shot.
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