Attention, stargazers! Due to “high” aurora activity, the mesmerizing northern lights may be visible in Vancouver in just a few short weeks. And it’s not the only noteworthy celestial event on our radar!
When to see the northern lights
According to the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), “high(+) aurora activity” is forecasted for Thursday, May 1, 2025 and Friday, May 2, 2025.
Dr. Rosanna Tilbrook at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre shares that while it’s “difficult to say for sure” whether or not the strong forecasted aurora display will come to fruition, it’s not impossible.
“The intensity, direction, and speed of any geomagnetic storm is tough to predict, but it’s possible that we’ll see aurora on these dates.”
This is because the 27-day forecast is based on the rotation period of the sun, which is roughly 27 days. On April 4 and 5, 2025, there was a Kp index of 5 and 6, which probably explains the similar forecast for the start of May.
The good news is that the sun is currently in its ‘solar maximum,’ or a period of heightened activity, a cycle which repeats every 11 years. According to Dr. Tilbrook, this translates to more frequent and powerful northern light displays, making them visible further south than usual.
Will the northern lights be visible in Vancouver?
“If skies are clear, highly active auroral displays may be visible overhead from locations such as Inuvik, Yellowknife, Rankin and Iqaluit, Canada, to Vancouver, Helena, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Bay City, Toronto and Montpelier, U.S.A., and Charlottetown, Canada,” reads the UAF forecast.
The biggest meteor event of 2025
Dr. Tilbrook shares that there’s another celestial event coming up this month to keep on your radar: the spectacular Lyrid meteor shower.
Active from April 16 to April 25, 2025, the Lyrid meteor shower is the biggest meteor event of the year and one of the oldest known meteor showers.
“At its peak on April 22, 2025, observers can expect to see around 20 meteors (aka ‘shooting stars’) an hour,” Dr. Tilbrook shares. “The Lyrids will appear to originate from the constellation of Lyra, but can streak across the whole sky.”
Talk about a dazzling show!
Viewing tips in Vancouver
Whether your eyes are trained on the skies to catch a couple of “shooting stars” or a dancing aurora display, it’s always best to find a dark location away from light pollution. For the ideal view, this means getting out of the city, or at least heading to a beach or secluded area with minimal streetlights.
When it comes to viewing the meteor shower this April, Dr. Tilbrook recommends catching the view from Spanish Banks, Point Grey, or Burnaby Mountain if you want to remain in the city. If you’re up for venturing a bit off the beaten path, Porteau Cove and McDonald Park are two top-notch stargazing spots as well.
So there you have it, stargazers. Stay tuned for more info as it comes, including relevant weather conditions the week of the meteor shower and forecasted aurora display.
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