The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is forecasting a “strong” G-3 magnitude geomagnetic storm for Thursday and Friday nights, triggered by multiple coronal mass ejections from the sun.
Taylor Cameron, a space weather duty forecaster for the Canadian Hazards Information Service, says the CMEs are expected to reach Earth within the next 24 hours. When these particles collide with the atmosphere, they create the aurora borealis-but they can also disrupt radio communications, GPS, and even power grids.
The best viewing locations are in the Northwest Territories and Yukon, where minimal light pollution and high latitude offer prime conditions. According to Cameron, the storm could arrive as early as late evening, with the watch active from 20:00 EDT tonight to 10:00 EDT tomorrow.
At G-3 strength, the aurora may be visible across much of Canada. Cameron advises viewers to get away from city lights, find clear skies, and look north. While the display may be faint to the naked eye, phone cameras will capture it clearly.