Reminder: The Northern Lights could be visible over Canada tonight

Mar 17 2018, 3:04 am

If skies are clear this weekend, parts of Canada could be treated to a spectacular show tonight.

According to The Weather Network, “Aurora chasers are expecting a good show this weekend due to the effects of an immense coronal hole, and a strange phenomenon known as ‘equinox cracks.'”

This is described as the time close to the March equinox, on Tuesday, March 20, “which is typically a time associated with more intense geomagnetic activity.

A result of this, if conditions are clear on the nights of Saturday, March 17 and Sunday, March 18, the Aurora Borealis, aka the Northern Lights could be visible all over Canada.

Coinciding with a New Moon on the 17th, there should be excellent viewing conditions for those looking to check out this natural wonder.

This map shows the potential aurora visibility for varying geomagnetic storm strengths. The higher the Planetary K-index is, the stronger the storm.

Aurora

The Weather Network

You can monitor the K-Index levels and updates on the auroras on the Space Weather Prediction Centre’s website. But do keep in mind that the “K-Index is an average of the geomagnetic intensity seen over the past three hours.”

To catch the lights in full display, try to head away from city centres, light pollution, and competing light sources in the sky.

And, of course, don’t forget your cameras and remember to be patient.

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