While fireworks have become a popular way to ring in the new year, many Canadians could enjoy a much larger light show in the night sky.
As of Monday afternoon, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center is predicting a strong chance of the northern lights across much of Canada on New Year’s Eve. New.
True to its name, the northern lights are expected to be less frequent in areas of the country close to the US border to the south.
The celestial light show is best viewed in dark areas outside of major centers with limited or no light pollution. However, even the best-laid plans for optimal viewing are at the mercy of cloud coverage.
The vast majority of the country is expecting cloudy conditions on New Year’s Eve this year, except in sections of the Maritimes and BC. So while the northern lights shine above, the display will likely be hidden from those below.
According to NOAA, the geomagnetic activity forecast for December 31 is considered a five on the OVIATION mode scale, where a rating of one is limited activity and nine is the maximum.
A geomagnetic storm with a rating of G3, considered strong, is expected early Tuesday morning and its aftermath would likely produce northern lights sightings into Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
