Metro Vancouver sky-watchers, rejoice!
Environment Canada calls for bright sunshine and clear skies all weekend and that's a boon for locals hoping to view the aurora borealis.
According to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, auroral activity will be highly active on Saturday (Oct. 30), with displays possible overhead from "Inuvik, Yellowknife, Rankin and Iqaluit, to Portland OR, Cheyenne, Lincoln, Springfield, and New York City, and visible low on the horizon as far south as Carson City, Oklahoma City, and Raleigh."
There's also a possibility that locals will see the vivid demonstration on All Hallows' Eve, albeit the display isn't expected to be as strong in Vancouver. The highly active auroral displays will be visible overhead from "Inuvik, Yellowknife, Rankin and Iqaluit to Juneau, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay and Sept-Iles, and visible low on the horizon from Seattle, Des Moines, Chicago, Cleveland, Boston, and Halifax."
Geomagnetic storms ahead
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, G3 (Strong) and G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storms are possible on Oct. 30 and Oct. 31.
In order for us to see the aurora, the sky must be dark and clear; clouds are the biggest obstacles to auroral observations. However, Vancouver's forecast calls for clear skies all weekend, offering ideal conditions for a spellbinding celestial show.
Stargazers should opt to travel as far away from city lights as possible in order to avoid light pollution that will obscure the clarity of heavenly bodies. While this works best in more remote places, anywhere that has a higher elevation will also provide more ideal viewing conditions.
