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If you missed the stunning northern lights display last week, don’t worry! Canada might get another chance to see the sky light up tonight thanks to another powerful solar flare over the weekend.
The Weather Network (TWN) reports that people across the country should keep their eyes on the sky from Monday evening through early Tuesday morning as the auroras could make another dazzling appearance overnight from September 16 to 17.
The potential for spotting these beautiful lights, also known as the aurora borealis, comes after a solar storm sent a burst of energy toward Earth. Tonight’s geomagnetic activity is expected to be strong enough to cause auroras visible across much of Canada, with a peak Kp Index of around 6, TWN reports. For those unfamiliar, the Kp Index measures the strength of geomagnetic storms on a scale of 0 to 9, and a value of 6 means we could see auroras as far south as Montreal!
According to experts, the best time for viewing will be after sunset, though your chances will depend on where you are in the country. Western Canada, especially southern British Columbia, looks like it’ll have clear skies, giving stargazers there a great opportunity to see the lights. You’ll want to get as far away from city light pollution for the best chance of seeing the lights dance across the sky.
Folks in Alberta and parts of Saskatchewan may also have decent visibility, but clouds and even thunderstorms could block the view for some.
In the eastern half of Canada, Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces are expected to have clear skies, though viewers here might still need some luck. The geomagnetic storm will be racing the sunset, and it’s possible that the peak activity could happen before the sky gets dark enough. Still worth a peek though, as auroras can be hard to predict!
Why are we seeing so many northern lights lately?
The frequent aurora displays we’ve been seeing this year are due to the Sun’s solar cycle, which lasts about 11 years. According to TWN, we’re currently approaching the solar maximum — the peak of the cycle — which brings an increase in solar activity, including sunspots and solar flares. These flares send bursts of energy toward Earth, creating more chances to see the northern lights.
Where’s the best place to see the northern lights?
For the best view of the northern lights tonight, you’ll want to head to areas with minimal light pollution and clear skies. In Quebec, skies are expected to be mostly clear of clouds, so anywhere far from city lights offers the best chances — although timing could be tricky with the sunset racing the geomagnetic storm.
So, grab a picnic blanket or camp chair, find a spot away from city lights and get ready for what could be another amazing aurora show!
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