Mother Nature might put on a spellbinding display in the Lower Mainland sky this week.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a G3 (Strong) geomagnetic storm watch for Tuesday, April 15, as a coronal mass ejection that left the sun on April 13. It has created an “elevated geomagnetic response,” and, dependent upon the orientation of the embedded magnetic fields, the potential for a strong solar storm exists.
The Metro Vancouver weather forecast calls for warmer temperatures and clear skies starting Tuesday and continuing into the weekend.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) expects the aurora borealis will be visible overhead in locations such as locations such as “Inuvik, Yellowknife, Rankin and Iqaluit, Canada, to Juneau, Alaska, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay and Sept-Iles, Canada; and may be visible low on the horizon from Seattle, Des Moines, Chicago, Cleveland and Boston, U.S.A., and Halifax.”
Metro Vancouverites may also be able to view the dancing lights low on the horizon.
Auroral activity is also expected to be “high,” meaning there’s a greater likelihood of seeing the heavenly manifestation during select periods (see slide 2).
The Metro Vancouver weather forecast includes dry weather for several potential aurora viewing opportunities
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, a brief description of the aurora activity is below the map. You can switch to different days to see the forecast, too.
Locals may have another opportunity to view green manifestation on Wednesday, as the aurora is also expected to be highly active and visible in the same areas (such as the Lower Mainland) (see slide three).
Thursday presents a final opportunity to view the dancing lights, although the aurora is expected to be less active and won’t stretch as far south. It may be visible overhead in “Inuvik, Yellowknife, Rankin and Iqaluit, Canada; to Juneau, Alaska, and Edmonton, Winnipeg and Sept-Iles,” and low on the horizon in Vancouver, Great Falls, Pierre, Madison, Lansing, Portland (Maine), Ottawa and St. John’s.
Stay up-to-date with hyperlocal weather forecasts across 50 neighbourhoods in the Lower Mainland with Weatherhood.
