Cross your fingers for a cloudless weekend, because you could have a front-row seat to a dazzling display – one that the Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is calling an “unusual and potentially historic event.”
According to experts at the government agency, the first (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watch since 2005 has been issued for the evenings of Friday, May 10th and 11th 2024, meaning the Northern Lights could be visible across Canada.
“NOAA space weather forecasters have observed at least seven coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the sun, with impacts expected to arrive on Earth as early as midday Friday, May 10, and persist through Sunday, May 12, 2024,” they write.
“CMEs are explosions of plasma and magnetic fields from the sun’s corona. They cause geomagnetic storms when they are directed at Earth.”
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First G4 (Severe) geomagnetic since 2005 has been issued.
The aurora tonight (5/10) /tomorrow morning (5/11) may become visible over much of the northern half of the country, & possibly as far south as Alabama to northern California. https://t.co/upPlNYuNev@NWSSWPC @NWS pic.twitter.com/JTHmXtRKOc
— NOAA (@NOAA) May 10, 2024
These Geomagnetic storms are what trigger aurora displays on Earth – but that’s not all.
“Geomagnetic storms can impact infrastructure in near-Earth orbit and on Earth’s surface, potentially disrupting communications, the electric power grid, navigation, radio and satellite operations,” they continue.
“SWPC (Space Weather Prediction Center) has notified the operators of these systems so they can take protective action,” so don’t fret!
They’re on top of things, but it’s sure to be an action-packed weekend.
From BC to Alberta, Quebec, most of Ontario, and beyond you could have an experience you won’t soon forget, though we’d recommend heading out of the city and away from light pollution for the best view.
In Toronto? You might also be able to see the lights on the horizon – so head outside after the sun goes down!
There’s truly nothing quite like the Northern Lights, Canada, and It certainly isn’t every day that you get a chance to see them!
Good luck, have fun, and don’t forget to document it.
It’ll be amazing!
