From a meteor shower to an incredible full moon, September 2024 has been an exciting month for junior astronomers, but it’s about to get even better! According to the space weather forecast, an Aurora Borealis could be visible overhead from coast to coast and Calgary is no exception. Who doesn’t love the Northern Lights?
When to see the Northern Lights
Want to see the sky painted green, pink and purple?
As reported by the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), September 16th and 17th could be a particularly good time to cross an epic display off your bucket list.
A G3 geomagnetic storm has been issued by the NOAA for Monday, which is considered “strong” and will make a visit to your nearest dark sky preserve worth it. Tuesday will bring a G2 storm, which is described as “moderate.”
“Auroral activity will be high,” echoed the UAF ahead of tonight’s display.
‘Weather permitting, highly active auroral displays will be visible overhead from Inuvik, Yellowknife, Rankin and Iqaluit, to Portland OR, Cheyenne, Lincoln, Springfield, and New York City, and visible low on the horizon as far south as Carson City, Oklahoma City, and Raleigh.”
Our advice? Dress warm, bring a snack, and get comfortable. Activity is expected to remain high until 1 am MST or 8 UTC.
Weather forecast
Fear a cloudy evening? Monday offers a fantastic opportunity to see the stars—and the Borealis!
According to Environment Canada, a clear sky is in our immediate future!
Between when the sun sets just before 9 pm on Monday and 3 am on Tuesday morning, those who are eager to see the show will be able to do so with little to no cloud coverage.
Unfortunately, light pollution will always be an issue for anyone in a big city, so we’d recommend heading away from the hustle and bustle to double your chances of seeing the Northern Lights.
The Aurora forecast is looking good and the weather is cooperating, so take a chance—and don’t forget to catch the upcoming partial lunar eclipse and supermoon!
It could be spectacular.
Cassandra Stefanic
Regional Editor, Prairies – Cassandra is a Calgary-based journalist with a deep appreciation for music, film, food, travelling, and storytelling. When she’s not chasing a story, writing or editing, you’ll likely find her binge-watching a new TV series, at a speakeasy with friends, cooking, or getting lost in a Taylor Swift re-record.
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