The Metro Vancouver weather forecast includes the possibility of more than just freezing temperatures this week.
Following a potentially very wet day on Tuesday, Oct. 24, the Lower Mainland is expected to see some sunshine as an Arctic front brings frigid, dry air into the region.
As the mercury drops, there will also be the potential to see a haunting green glow low on the horizon.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Space Weather Prediction Center isn't calling for a geomagnetic storm in the next few days, but it looks like there may be a potential to observe the aurora borealis toward the end of the week.
Starting on Monday and Tuesday, the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) shows that it may be possible to view the northern lights low on the horizon in a variety of places in Canada, including Prince Rupert, Calgary, and Quebec City.
While Wednesday and Thursday aren't expected to produce the same far-reaching glow, Friday offers the best chance to see the lights locally in Metro Vancouver.
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.
On Friday, the UAF says the aurora will be active, with displays possible "overhead 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."
Metro Vancouver weather forecast includes clear, crisp nights
This week's Metro Vancouver weather forecast is a boon for sky-watchers, with skies clearing ahead of the night with the highest auroral activity.
While the week starts off wet, with a 99 per cent chance of rainfall in Vancouver's downtown core, the weather is expected to dry up after Wednesday, according to V.I.A.'s Downtown Centre Weatherhood station.
Wednesday has a high likelihood of seeing some precipitation, but Thursday looks dry, with temperatures falling to 2 C as skies clear overnight. Friday is also expected to see some sunshine, as the mercury drops to the freezing level overnight.
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.
To keep tabs on the weather forecast, browse the interactive map on Weatherhood, which offers over 50 weather stations for neighbourhoods across the Lower Mainland. This means you can find out what viewing conditions will be like in your area and the places you plan on heading out to view the space show.
Find out more northern lights information and viewing tips with our comprehensive guide.
