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 southern Ontario!
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, head to areas with minimal light pollution and clear skies. People in southern British Columbia, especially away from the city lights of Vancouver, are in for the best chances of catching the auroras.
Large parts of Alberta also look promising, but avoid cloudier areas in southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, where storms might block the view.
For eastern Canada, places far from city lights in Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces offer the best chances, though timing could be tricky with the sunset racing the geomagnetic storm.
If you're in the GTA and looking for a spot away from city lights, there are so many Ontario parks that offer perfect viewing conditions for the northern lights and other stargazing opportunities.
So, if you've got clear skies tonight, 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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The NOAA's Aurora Dashboard.