Weather B.C.: Northern lights may light up the sky Sunday night

A strong geomagnetic storm could bring a dazzling aurora borealis display across British Columbia on the night of Sunday, June 1, including over Metro Vancouver.

G4-level solar storm sparks aurora potential

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a G4 (severe) geomagnetic storm watch for June 1–2, following a powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) that erupted from the Sun on the evening of May 30. This burst of solar energy sends highly charged particles hurtling through space, and when they collide with Earth’s magnetic field, they produce stunning visual phenomena in the sky.

According to NOAA, the aurora could be visible not only across much of Canada, but also over parts of the northern United States, potentially as far south as Alabama. Some regions of British Columbia already experienced a glimpse of the northern lights on Saturday night.

Ideal conditions for aurora viewing

If the storm’s intensity remains as forecasted, Sunday night into early Monday could offer a rare opportunity to witness the aurora far from the polar regions. Stargazers are invited to capture and share their images of the lights by emailing [email protected], including details of where the photo was taken.

The aurora borealis typically appears as shimmering waves of light in hues of green, pink, red, or purple, best viewed after dark and before dawn, especially in areas with minimal light pollution.

Visibility will also depend on local weather conditions and cloud cover across British Columbia.