Most Canadians have a chance to see the northern lights tonight

Most Canadians will have another chance to see the northern lights tonight. Paul Hollingsworth spoke with Nova Scotians who took in the dazzling display.

Most Canadians could have a chance to see the northern lights tonight.

A forecast from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows there is a high probability of aurora activity Wednesday night and early Thursday over nearly every province and territory.

With clear and dark skies away from city lights, the dazzling display should be visible directly overhead across most of B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Labrador, and the northern parts of Ontario and Quebec.

If you can get away from urban lights and have an uninterrupted view of the northern horizon, the lights could also be visible from southern Ontario and Quebec, as well as the Atlantic provinces.

Colourful lights are also expected to be visible across Alaska and northern U.S. states, reaching as far south as parts of Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois.

According to the NOAA, the light show is expected to last for much of the night and peak in intensity between 7 and 10 p.m. eastern.

The only parts of Canada that do not fall within tonight’s so-called “view line” are the southwestern most parts of Ontario near Lake Erie, the easternmost parts of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, and the northernmost parts of Nunavut.

The heightened aurora activity is being caused by a coronal mass ejection, which is a large burst of plasma and magnetic field from the sun. Increased solar activity has recently led to more frequent aurora borealis displays.

According to NASA, the sun is currently at the maximum phase of a solar cycle that sees its magnetic poles swap places every 11 years. That is leading to increased geomagnetic activity, which has made the northern lights appear further south than usual in both North America and Europe. The heightened solar activity is expected to last at least through the end of 2025 and possibly longer.

Such solar storms can also temporarily interfere with power grids and disrupt radio and GPS communications, according to the NOAA.

Before venturing out to see the lights, be sure to check your local forecast because clouds will hide the spectacle. Taking photos with a smartphone may also reveal details that are not visible to the naked eye.

With files from The Associated Press