Skywatchers in Northern BC could witness a spectacular natural light show this week as the northern lights are expected to dance brightly across the sky. A coronal hole on the surface of the Sun is sending a high-speed stream of solar wind toward Earth, sparking the potential for geomagnetic storms and vivid auroras.
Scientists with the U.S. Space Weather Prediction Center say the auroras could stretch far beyond the Arctic, becoming visible across most of Canada including communities throughout northern B.C. From Terrace to Fort Nelson, residents are encouraged to look up on the nights of June 25 and 26.
The best viewing conditions will be in rural, dark areas between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., when the skies are clearest and the solar activity is strongest. Cloud cover and light pollution can interfere, so choosing the right spot will be key.
This display is part of a larger trend, as the Sun moves toward its solar maximum the most active phase of its 11 year cycle. That means more opportunities for dazzling auroras over the next year, especially in high-latitude regions like Northern B.C.
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