A geomagnetic storm watch hints at a chance to see the Northern Lights across Canada on Christmas Day, creating a festive spectacle.
Edmonton: Get ready for a potential Christmas surprise! The NOAA has put out a G1-Minor geomagnetic storm watch for December 25. This means you might catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights in parts of Canada on Christmas Day.
So, what’s a geomagnetic storm? It happens when the sun sends out these huge clouds of charged particles, called coronal mass ejections. When they hit Earth, they mess with our magnetic field, creating a storm. It’s kind of like a cosmic light show!
These storms are ranked from G1 to G5, with G1 being minor. The one expected on Christmas is manageable, so no need to worry about major disruptions. Just a heads up, though—there might be some minor hiccups in power grids and satellite signals.
If you’re in Canada, especially in the northern and western parts like the Prairies, you might have the best chance to see the lights. The best time to look is just before sunrise, and Alberta is expected to have the clearest skies. So, if you’ve been looking for a reason to kick off your Christmas traditions early, this could be it!
