Northern lights could be visible in Ontario this weekend

The northern lights may be visible from parts of Ontario this weekend.

The active sunspot or solar flare that brought specular aurora borealis to North America in early May is returning, according to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center.

The sun has rotated back to the sunspot region, and while the alert is at a lower level this time, there is still a chance to see a light show.

On May 10, the Space Weather Prediction Center issued a G4 level watch, the first since 2005. The scale goes from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). This latest alert is at G2 so the lights likely won’t be as intense and prevalent as the May 10 event.

The coronal mass ejection or eruption of solar material can cause a geomagnetic storm on Earth. This storm could result in visible aurora borealis.

The aurora may be visible late Friday night (May 31) into early Saturday morning, according to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center.

The lights could be seen as far south as Idaho and the Weather Network suggests they may be visible throughout much of Canada.

However, clear skies and a dark sky, away from city light pollution, are needed to see the lights.

The forecast is calling for mainly clear skies tonight and early tomorrow for the GTA area and communities just north of the GTA. So, there is a good chance to see the lights if they appear.

For more on the alert see the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center page here.

Lead photo: Joni Tuohimaa