Look up: The Northern Lights may be visible in Vancouver this week

Listen up, aurora watchers. Although it’s uncommon to witness the natural phenomenon that is the Northern Lights during the early summer, it’s not impossible. And thanks to a recent coronal mass ejection (CME) on July 4th, residents of Vancouver might just be able to spot that spectacular green glow this week.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a “partial halo CME” will likely impact Earth on Friday, July 7th, “sometime after midday.” Thus, a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm watch has been issued, with a chance for a G2 storm level if more “favourable conditions are observed.”

Given the favourable weather forecast for this Friday and the weekend – and the clearer skies – our chances of witnessing the Northern Lights in Vancouver are worth noting!

Although the activity map via the University of Alaska Fairbanks doesn’t quite reach Vancouver, the university predicts that the “high” auroral activity will be visible “low on the horizon” from Seattle to Halifax – which includes Vancouver skies.

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So there you have it, Vancouver. The days might be longer with less darkness to observe the Northern Lights, but with a little effort and luck, you might just be able to witness a spectacular display this Friday.

Best of luck!