The Metro Vancouver weather forecast includes a side of the northern lights this week.
While they won't produce a vibrant display, the aurora borealis could cause the lights to dance low on the horizon in the Lower Mainland.
On Wednesday, April 17, the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) calls for very active with light displays possible overhead 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" (see slide two).
The university's online aurora monitor map shows what regions the aurora's green glow may be visible overhead and where it may be visible low on the horizon. 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.
The UAF's aurora viewing map shows the vibrant green glow covering areas in northern B.C. above Prince George but displays will be lower on the horizon in places below the city.
Second opportunity to view the northern lights in Metro Vancouver
On Thursday, April 18, the UAF expects the lights will be visible low overhead in Metro Vancouver and even further south, reaching as low as Seattle, Des Moines, Chicago, Cleveland, Boston, and Halifax (see slide three).
The Metro Vancouver weather forecast includes sunshine and clear skies on Wednesday through Friday, providing ideal aurora-viewing conditions (provided the lights dance at the appropriate time).
Since the daylight hours have started increasing, there are fewer hours to view the northern lights. However, if the timing lines up, you can view them when the sky is dark enough.
Stay up-to-date with hyperlocal forecasts across 50 neighbourhoods in the Lower Mainland with V.I.A.'s Weatherhood.
