Geomagnetic storm could bring northern lights to Thompson-Okanagan tonight

There is an increased chance of seeing the aurora borealis for sky watchers in Kamloops and the Okanagan tonight.

A strong geomagnetic storm watch is in effect across Canada and parts of the northern United States, according to the Space Weather Prediction Centre.

The storm is a result of a coronal mass ejection of material from the sun that is headed toward Earth and expected to arrive early to midday today, Dec. 9.

The ejections can cause geomagnetic storms when they collide with one another and create clouds of charged particles. The storms can cause charged particles to speed toward Earth’s poles where they crash into molecules in the upper atmosphere and light up, creating aurora borealis.

The storm watch is in effect until 5 a.m. tomorrow. By the time night falls in the Kamloops and Okanagan regions, storm activity will be reduced from full to intermittent intervals.

There may be periods of rain for sky watchers to contend with across the Thompson-Okanagan region, according to Environment Canada’s forecast.

Viewers will want to bundle up and find a location away from city lights with a wide open view toward the north. A good camera helps, but most cell phone cameras can capture the northern lights well.