Northern lights may shine in Vancouver skies tonight during powerful solar storm | Daily Hive

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Sky gazers across Metro Vancouver could catch a glimpse of the northern lights tonight, but they may need the foggy weather to cooperate.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a high chance of the aurora borealis being visible across Canada on Monday night.

The northern lights are forecast to be particularly intense due to what NOAA calls a “severe geomagnetic storm.”

G4 (Severe) storm conditions first reached at 1938 UTC (2:38pm EST) upon CME shock arrival. Please continue to visit https://t.co/TV7Yw6Lq1Y for the latest information and updates. pic.twitter.com/rXtthPmP9C

— NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) January 19, 2026

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“An S4 severe solar radiation storm is now in progress – this is the largest solar radiation storm in over 20 years,” said NOAA on social media.

“The last time S4 levels were observed was in October 2003. Potential effects are mainly limited to space launch, aviation, and satellite operations.”

Matthew Cimone, senior space science interpreter at the HR MacMillan Space Centre, told Daily Hive that the recent flare was “like the sun burping in our direction.”

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“Those particles arrive here on Earth, collide with our geomagnetic field, and get pulled to our north and south poles,” explained Cimone.

“When they do, they eventually collide with our atmosphere and excite the Earth’s gases, causing the glow.”

British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and the territories are likely to get a front-row seat to the light show, though Metro Vancouver’s views may be impeded by the heavy fog smothering the region.

U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The “viewline,” which represents the southernmost locations from which you can see the northern lights, shows that much of Southern B.C. has a green to red likelihood of seeing the aurora.

The forecasted northern lights are also slated to be a Kp eight on a range from zero to nine, and g-scale of four on a range from zero to five.

Kp stands for Planetarische Kennziffer, which is a planetary index of disturbances in the Earth’s magnetic field.

Meanwhile, the g-level refers to the voltage fluctuation measurement during a geomagnetic storm, and possible impacts to things like satellites, radio, or even power grids.

There is a much weaker aurora likelihood for Metro Vancouver on Tuesday night, as the forecasted northern lights drop to a Kp four, and a g-scale of zero.

Cimone recommended going up the Sea to Sky as well as further into the Fraser Valley for a chance to see the aurora. However, he also added that we should always go and look at the night sky, no matter if there are northern lights or not.

“Even if there ends up being no aurora visible, it’s a good reminder to take a moment to look up in the sky, reflect on our existence in the universe, and be reminded that it’s pretty amazing we’re alive at all — zipping around on our little rock around the sun at thousands of kilometres per hour.”

Barbora Kyselicova/Submitted

Whether you’re using your own eyes or taking it in via technology, there are several places to spot the northern lights in and around Vancouver when the conditions are right.

However, you’ll want to turn on your headlights later this evening as the forecast for Metro Vancouver is calling for plenty more fog.

“Fog is still hanging on, especially in the coastal areas,” said ECCC meteorologist Derek Lee. “Most of Metro Vancouver should see fog overnight.”

Haley du Fresne

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued a yellow-level weather alert for fog that began rolling into several cities across the region, and continues until Tuesday, Jan. 20.

According to Lee, a large amount of low clouds has formed over the Strait of Georgia, with a ridge of high pressure acting as a cap and trapping moisture.