Northern lights may appear tonight in Nova Scotia skies

The northern lights as seen in Amherst Shore, N.S., in August. (Diane Irwin - image credit)
The northern lights as seen in Amherst Shore, N.S., in August. (Diane Irwin - image credit)

Keep your eye on the sky tonight here in Nova Scotia, as we'll have another great chance to see the northern lights.

In fact, tonight's event could rival the noteworthy displays we witnessed in the region back in May.

The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a geomagnetic storm alert with G4 conditions (severe) underway. This will bring the potential for issues with the power grid.

The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center is forcasting strong to severe geomagnetic storm conditions.
The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center is forcasting strong to severe geomagnetic storm conditions.

The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center is forcasting strong to severe geomagnetic storm conditions. (NOAA)

The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center is currently forecasting a KP index between 7.3 and 8.3 beginning Thursday evening and continuing into Friday morning.

The KP index ranges from zero to nine and describes the disturbance of the Earth's magnetic field caused by the solar wind. Simply put: the faster the wind blows, the greater the turbulence — and the greater the chance for the aurora borealis to be viewable.

The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center is currently forecasting a KP index between 7.3 and 8.3 beginning Thursday evening and continuing into Friday morning.
The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center is currently forecasting a KP index between 7.3 and 8.3 beginning Thursday evening and continuing into Friday morning.

The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center is currently forecasting a KP index between 7.3 and 8.3 beginning Thursday evening and continuing into Friday morning. (Ryan Snoddon/CBC)

For best viewing conditions, get away from city lights after dark.

The all-important forecast looks somewhat favourable for Nova Scotia, with partly cloudy skies. We will see a chance of showers Thursday evening, however, those showers will move out later evening before the clouds build in again overnight and into Friday morning.

Cloudy conditions and a chance of showers is forcasted for Nova Scotia Thursday evening.
Cloudy conditions and a chance of showers is forcasted for Nova Scotia Thursday evening.

Cloudy conditions and a chance of showers is forecasted for Nova Scotia on Thursday evening. (Ryan Snoddon/CBC)

A chance of showers will linger overnight and right into Friday morning for Cape Breton, however, there should be some breaks in the clouds.

Showers will move out later in the evening, before the clouds build in again overnight and into Friday morning.
Showers will move out later in the evening, before the clouds build in again overnight and into Friday morning.

Showers will move out later in the evening before the clouds build in again overnight and into Friday morning. (Ryan Snoddon/CBC)

If tonight's conditions don't co-operate in your backyard, you may have another chance on Friday night. Mostly clear to partly cloudy skies, however, the KP index will be lower, in the five to six range.

Overall, the sun is in a very active period in the course of its 11-year cycle.

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