Mother Nature might produce another one of those jaw-dropping northern lights displays in the Lower Mainland this weekend.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center observed a major G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storm on Thursday, June 12, and has issued G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storm warnings for Friday and Saturday (see slide two).
The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) expects moderate auroral activity at various intervals overnight Friday, with displays visible overhead in Inuvik, Yellowknife, Rankin and Iqaluit, to Juneau, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Sept-Iles. They may also be visible low on the horizon in Vancouver, Great Falls, Pierre, Madison, Lansing, Portland, Ottawa, and St. John’s (see slide three).
The university's online aurora monitor map shows what regions the aurora's green glow will likely reach and other areas where it is less likely. Additionally, there is a brief description below the map of the aurora activity on that particular day. You can switch to other days to see the forecast, too.
Metro Vancouver's weather forecast looks clear for viewing the aurora borealis
The Metro Vancouver weather forecast includes a few clouds overnight Friday, but conditions are expected to clear overnight Saturday for sky-watchers. V.I.A.'s Downtown Centre Weatherhood station shows a high of 17 C and a low of 12 C with clear skies overnight.
The UAF expects "high" auroral activity overnight on Saturday, with displays overhead in places as far south as Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Thunder Bay. They are also expected to be visible low on the horizon further south than on Friday, with displays possible in Seattle, Chicago, Boston, and Halifax (see slide four).
Since the dancing lights may be visible in Seattle, Vancouverites may have a better opportunity to see them.
Although the days are growing increasingly longer (the solstice is on June 21), locals have captured some incredible aurora borealis photos in recent weeks, including one rare photo of a vibrant green glow above Science World.
Stay up-to-date with hyperlocal weather forecasts across 50 neighbourhoods in the Lower Mainland with Weatherhood.
