Please complete your profile to unlock commenting and other important features.

Please select your date of birth for special perks on your birthday. Your username will be your unique profile link and will be publicly used in comments.
Narcity Pro

This is a Pro feature.

Time to level up your local game with Narcity Pro.

Pro

$5/month

$40/year

  • Everything in the Free plan
  • Ad-free reading and browsing
  • Unlimited access to all content including AI summaries
  • Directly support our local and national reporting and become a Patron
  • Cancel anytime.
For Pro members only Pro
Summary

The Northern Lights Could Be Visible In BC This Week & Here's When You Should Look For Them

Look up!

Northern lights in B.C. Right: Aurora borealis in B.C.

Northern lights in B.C. Right: Aurora borealis in B.C.

Editor

If you want a chance at spotting the northern lights in Vancouver, or somewhere else in B.C., you might be able to make it happen on October 5 and 6!

The northern lights forecast says that the aurora borealis is expected to be visible across most of Canada this week, giving British Columbians the chance at catching a glimpse of the stunning lights.

So get out your camera, and drive away from the bright city lights so you can have a chance at viewing the sky light up with bright colours.

You might even want to rent a remote cabin, to have the optimal experience in the province.

When can you see the northern lights in B.C.?

According to Aurora Forecast, October 5 is expected to have an "elevated aurora" activity level that suggests an "active aurora [is] possible with good chance of isolated minor auroral substorms and favourable conditions for major aurora activity."

On October 6, the activity level goes down to moderate but don't lose hope! An active aurora will still be possible and there are "favourable conditions for major aurora activity."

Then on October 7, the activity is still moderate and "isolated major aurora substorms" are possible.

Where to see the northern lights in B.C.?

The Geophysical Institute has an aurora forecast that shows high activity on October 5, covering parts of B.C. and Alberta in Western Canada.

Close to Vancouver "highly active auroral displays" might be visible low on the horizon.

The map shows higher activity near Fort Nelson and Prince Rupert, so if you want a show head towards Northern B.C.!

What time can you see the northern lights?

Look out for the northern lights after sunset, especially close to midnight, according to The Canadian Space Agency's aurora viewing tips.

You can also check the position of the auroral oval to see exactly when to go and see them!

  • Editor

    Morgan Leet (she/her) is an Editor for Narcity Media Group. After graduating from Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication, she jumped into fulfilling her dream as a journalist, merging her passion for travelling with writing. After working in the print media world on Canada’s East Coast, she joined Narcity with a move to B.C., drawn to the beauty of Western Canada. Since then, she's documented her experience moving to Vancouver, covering everything from local events to bucket-list travel destinations across Canada's West Coast.

Northern lights could be visible across Canada this week, even in Toronto and Vancouver

You could see a "more intense" aurora in some Canadian cities!

Canadians will be able to get Canadian Tire Money with their Tim Hortons orders soon

Here's what you need to know about this Canadian collab! 🇨🇦☕

Lotto Max winner got $1 million with a ticket he bought at a grocery store

"At a little grocery store out in Saskatoon, when there are millions of people in Canada, it happened."