Metro Vancouver sky-watchers might be able to spot the aurora borealis' green glow -- provided the clouds clear for a while this weekend.
While the Metro Vancouver weather forecast includes a 60 per cent chance of rainfall on Friday, May 5, and heading into Saturday, the rain is expected to ease up on Saturday night.
And while the National the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Space Weather Prediction Center hasn't issued a geomagnetic storm warning, it noted that radio blackout activity reached "R1 levels" over the past 24 hours.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) predicts that on Saturday the aurora is expected to be "active" with displays possible "from Inuvik, Yellowknife, Rankin and Iqaluit to Juneau, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Sept-Iles, and visible low on the horizon from Vancouver, Great Falls, Pierre, Madison, Lansing, Ottawa, Portland and St. Johns."
Of course, the Metro Vancouver weather forecast includes a 30 per cent chance of showers overnight Saturday, so there might not be many opportunities to view the display.
The university's online aurora monitor map shows what regions the aurora's green glow will likely reach, as well as other areas where there is less of a possibility. Additionally, there is a brief description below the map of the aurora activity on that particular day. You can switch to other days to see the forecast, too.
If the dreary weather doesn't allow for optimal viewing on Saturday, there may be another chance on Sunday. While the forecast also calls for some cloudy periods, there isn't any wet weather in the forecast.
The UAF says the aurora borealis should have "active activity" with displays possible overhead in the same places, including low on the horizon in Greater Vancouver.
How to view the Northern Lights and work with Vancouver weather
Light pollution in large cities makes the aurora borealis difficult to observe, but not impossible, given the right circumstances. But your best bet for viewing that hypnotic green glow is up north or outside of the city.
Of course, when you do spot the northern lights, they likely won't appear green or any other colour. Instead, you'll see the arcing, milky manifestation moving in the sky. In order to capture that green glow, you'll need to use a camera with a longer exposure.
Find out more northern lights information and viewing tips with our comprehensive guide.
