The Metro Vancouver weather forecast includes possible aurora borealis viewing opportunities this week.
While some showers are possible, conditions look mostly dry and the sun peeked out in the Lower Mainland in the afternoon on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storm watch for Tuesday, with lingering effects into Wednesday. However, any residual storm effects are expected to taper off into "minor storming levels" by Wednesday.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) calls for "high" auroral activity on Tuesday, with displays visible "overhead from Inuvik, Yellowknife, Rankin, and Iqaluit to Vancouver, Helena, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Bay City, Toronto, Montpelier, and Charlottetown, and visible low on the horizon from Salem, Boise, Cheyenne, Lincoln, Indianapolis and Annapolis" (see slide two).
Locals could be treated to auroral displays overhead (instead of just low on the horizon) given the expected reach of the phenomenon.
The university's online aurora monitor map shows what regions the aurora's green glow will likely reach and other areas where it is less likely. 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.
NOAA also expects the aurora to be visible south of the border to some northern and upper Midwest from New York to Idaho.
Metro Vancouver weather forecast includes a second opportunity to view the northern lights
The UAF shows a second opportunity to view the northern lights on Wednesday. Highly active auroral displays are expected to 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 (see slide three).
While it may be possible to view the dancing lights again in Vancouver, they are more likely to appear low on the horizon.
The Metro Vancouver weather forecast includes the possibility of showers and some cloudy periods. However, very modest precipitation under 1 cm is expected.
V.I.A.'s Trout Lake Weatherhood station only shows minimal showers on Tuesday night, while Wednesday is only expected to see some clouds roll through.
Environment Canada's online cloud prediction tool for astronomical purposes shows when the sky may clear to determine the ideal aurora-viewing conditions.
Skywatchers can stay up-to-date with hyperlocal forecasts across 50 neighbourhoods in the Lower Mainland with V.I.A.'s Weatherhood.
