A new northern lights forecast from NOAA revealed that the northern lights are plunging south on Thursday, August 7 and Friday, August 8.
On the forecast map, the aurora is a green oval centred on the Earth's magnetic pole. That green oval becomes red when the aurora is forecast to be "more intense."
This map also includes a view line that shows how far south the aurora could be visible along the northern horizon.
On August 7, you could see a "more intense" aurora in Bella Coola, Prince George, Whitehorse, Edmonton, Calgary, Banff, Yellowknife, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Churchill, Thunder Bay, Moosonee, and Labrador City.
A less intense aurora is forecast in Victoria, Nanaimo, Vancouver, Kelowna, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, Quebec City, Rimouski, Saguenay and Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, Windsor, Kingston, Ottawa, Montreal, Fredericton, Moncton, Charlottetown, Sydney, St. John's and nearby areas are within the view line.
That means you could see the northern lights along the northern horizon in those places on Thursday night!
Northern lights forecast for Thursday, August 7, 2025.NOAA
On August 8, a "more intense" aurora is forecast in Whitehorse, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, Yellowknife, and Churchill.
The northern lights should be less intense but still visible in Victoria, Vancouver, Kelowna, Calgary, Lethbridge, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay and Timmins.
Also, Toronto, the GTA, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Moncton, Fredericton and Charlottetown are within the view line for Friday night.
Northern lights forecast for Friday, August 8, 2025.NOAA
If you want to see the northern lights this week, the Canadian Space Agency has northern lights viewing tips that can help you.
Usually, the northern lights appear a few hours after sunset and become more intense around midnight.
You need to find a place with little or no light pollution. If a less intense aurora is forecast, even a bit of city light can block the view.
Once you're in a dark location, look all around because the northern lights can appear anywhere in the sky.
NOAA said that if you're in a place along this forecast's view line, the northern lights will only be visible toward the northern horizon.
You don't need special equipment like a telescope or binoculars to see the northern lights, just look to the sky.
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This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
Northern lights forecast map of Canada for July 26, 2025.
Northern lights forecast map for July 1.