The northern lights may put on one heck of a show in the final hours of 2024, with large chunks of Canada in the running for a potential viewing.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a G3-strong geomagnetic storm watch for December 31, meaning a serious light show may be on its way.
The coronal mass ejection is expected to arrive in the early hours and could even linger for the evening into New Year’s Day.
A G3 Watch is in effect for 31 Dec, with a G1 (possible G2) watch for 1 Jan. These are in anticipation of a pair of Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CME). The G1 Watch for 1 Jan is being considered for upgrade to a G2 Watch. See the full story at https://t.co/QVsZnw9cje pic.twitter.com/929Vocq6Jg
— NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) December 30, 2024
The NOAA says the watches in place are in anticipation of a pair of Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CME). The G1 Watch for January 1 is being considered for an upgrade to a G2 Watch.
SWPC forecasters have a fair level of confidence in some measure of Earth effectual components and general timing windows of these two particular CMEs, however, as is usual with these events, intensity is less certain.
NOAA
NOAA
According to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, a high aurora activity is forecast. If skies are clear, highly active auroral displays may be visible overhead from locations such as Inuvik, Yellowknife, Rankin and Iqaluit, Canada, to Portland, Oregon, Cheyenne, Lincoln, Springfield, and New York City.
The northern lights show may even be visible low on the horizon as far south as Carson City, Oklahoma City, and Raleigh, North Carolina.
The peak of the light show is forecast for between 2 and 5 am MT on December 31, per the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
University of Alaska Fairbanks
As for New Year’s Day, the university is calling for high activity as well, however folks in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, and Halifax will miss out on the chance to view the show.
Fingers crossed that there is no cloud cover to spoil the view for you wherever you are in Canada, and happy northern lights watching!