Geomagnetic storm could bring aurora viewing in the Maritimes Thursday night
The Space Weather Prediction Center of the United States is predicting the likely occurrence of a strong geomagnetic storm Thursday night, creating an aurora active enough it could be spotted in the Maritimes.
A geomagnetic storm is the interaction of the Earth’s magnetic field with highly energized particles emitted from the Sun during a coronal mass ejection.
The conditions can interfere with radio frequencies, GPS systems, and in some cases cause power system issues. It also produces spectacular aurora borealis displays that can often been seen at latitudes much further south than typical.
The Kp index forecast for Thursday night by the Space Weather Prediction Center of the U.S.
One of the ways the strength of a geomagnetic storm is rated is through the Kp-index. The Kp-index rates 0-9, with 0 being calm, minor geomagnetic storm conditions staring at 5, and strong geomagnetic storm conditions starting at 7.
The Kp-index is forecast by the organization to reach 7 around 2 a.m. Friday Atlantic time. In the past, observed Kp-index values of 5 to 7+ have been associated with a visible aurora display in the Maritimes. For Thursday night, it appears the best time to try and catch a glimpse of the aurora is generally between midnight and dawn.
Partly cloudy with chilly temperatures forecast for Thursday night and the pre-dawn hours of Friday.
The sky conditions during that time won’t be perfectly clear. Some broken cloud is expected to be over the region Thursday night. Breaks of clear night sky look most likely for southern and eastern areas of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and mainland Nova Scotia. It will be a chilly night with low temperatures ranging a few degrees below to a few degrees above freezing.
To give yourself the best chance of viewing you would want to go to a location away from city and town lights. Look towards the north and lower on the horizon. Have patience and realize that, even if visible, the aurora may be on the fainter side. Like terrestrial weather, space weather can throw a curve ball at predictions. I’ve see situations in the past when a stronger geomagnetic storm was forecast, but failed to materialize into a visible aurora display.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ontario gave parents more than $1B in cash over 2 years. Here's where the money went
During the pandemic, the Ontario government started to hand out cash to parents to help offset the cost of at-home learning while schools were shuttered.
One dead, 26 wounded in overnight shooting in Ohio: reports
A shooting on a street in Akron, Ohio, killed one man and wounded 26 other people early Sunday morning, according to reports by local news outlets.
Do this once a month and extend your life by up to 10 years. No gym required
Research shows that art experiences, whether as a maker or a beholder, transform our biology by rewiring our brains and triggering the release of neurochemicals, hormones and endorphins.
Ambassador says interactions with Russia 'quite limited' but 'not unfriendly'
Canada's ambassador to Russia says while Ottawa has 'grave concerns' about the Kremlin's 'longer-term trends,' the war in Ukraine is 'a primary barrier to a change in the relationship.'
Bathroom break nearly derails $22 million project at city council meeting
A brief break during Wednesday's city council meeting in Saskatoon nearly cost the city dearly.
Mass parachute jump over Normandy kicks off commemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day
Parachutists jumping from Second World War-era planes hurled themselves Sunday into now peaceful Normandy skies where war once raged, heralding a week of ceremonies for the fast-disappearing generation of Allied troops who fought from D-Day beaches 80 years ago.
Lanny McDonald and a few old Flames take the Stanley Cup on a surprise visit to the man who saved his life
The Stanley Cup was passing through town Friday, and Lanny Legend took it upon himself to take it for a surprise visit.
South Korea vows 'unbearable' retaliation against North Korea over its launch of trash balloons
South Korea said Sunday it’ll soon take retaliatory steps against North Korea over its launch of trash-carrying balloons across the border and other provocations.
'There could have been an explosion,' 8 people, including 4 children injured in St. Constant, Que.
Eight people, including four children, have second- or third-degree burns as a result of an incident at a home in Saint-Constant, Que. south of Montreal, the Coopérative des techniciens ambulanciers de la Montérégie (CETAM) reported on Saturday.