The northern lights lit up the sky above a home near Cremona, Alberta, on Monday, October 7, 2024. These glowing lights appear when solar wind disturbs Earth's magnetic field, creating a natural light show high in the sky. The Canadian Press
People living in Northern Canada might get to see the northern lights this week. The lights could appear in the sky from Tuesday night to Thursday night. A forecast suggests the aurora borealis could be clearly visible in most northern parts of the country.
There’s a smaller chance of seeing them in southern areas. But if the skies are clear, people might still get lucky.
This colorful light display may also be seen in 18 U.S. states. Places with the best chance include Alaska, northeastern Montana, northern North Dakota, and northern Minnesota. These states sit in the strongest range of visibility.
Other states where the aurora may appear include Washington, northern Idaho, northern Wisconsin, and the upper part of Michigan. People in Oregon, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine could also spot the lights.
The northern lights happen because of geomagnetic activity in the sky. Scientists measure this activity using the Kp index. It ranges from 0 to 9, with 9 being the most active.
This week, the index could be around 4 on Tuesday night. It may rise to 6 on Wednesday. By Thursday, it is expected to settle just above 4. A higher number means a better chance to see the aurora.
The best time to look is after dark. The forecast says to watch between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. That’s when the lights are likely to be the brightest.
You don’t need to be standing right under the lights to enjoy the show. If the conditions are right and the lights are strong, people can see them from as far as 1,000 kilometers away.
Experts suggest going as far north as possible to get a better view. Heading toward the magnetic north pole can improve your chances. That pole is about 400 kilometers from the North Pole and lies in the islands of northeast Canada.
If you stand on top of a hill, with a clear view to the north, you could see the lights even if they’re far away. The view depends on how bright the lights are and how dark the skies are.
Even when geomagnetic activity is low, people close to the aurora can still enjoy a beautiful display. That means you don’t need a strong storm to witness the lights—just the right place and time.
This week’s aurora is linked to solar eruptions from the sun. These eruptions happened on Sunday, April 13. They released energy into space, which is now reaching Earth and lighting up the skies.
If weather and skies cooperate, many people across Canada and the U.S. might enjoy this rare and stunning light show.
