Northern Lights visible across much of NL last night
Last night, the skies over Newfoundland and Labrador put on a light show! The northern lights flickered overhead — not the wild, bright curtains we sometimes see in stronger geomagnetic storms, but enough to paint a soft green glow across parts of the horizon. This was especially true if you used long exposures when taking photos, which can sometimes make the northern lights seem more visible than when you’re looking at them with the naked eye.
The data leading up to the night wasn’t screaming “major aurora event.” Forecasts had the Kp index hovering around 2, which usually means only a slim chance this far south. Typically, on the Island, we need a Kp value of at least 5 to see the lights. Last night the value peaked around 6. Part of that is because the sun is currently near solar maximum, and even modest conditions can surprise us. And sure enough, in the right dark spots across the island, the aurora made an appearance.
It’s the kind of display you don’t always catch with the naked eye. It can almost resemble clouds to the untrained eye! Some saw just a faint shimmer in the north, while cameras told the fuller story — revealing streaks and wisps the eye couldn’t quite grasp. Either way, it was another reminder of how fortunate we are to be in a place where this natural wonder can appear on an ordinary night.
If you missed it, don’t worry — with the solar cycle peaking, we’ll have more chances in the weeks and months ahead. Keep an eye on the forecast, grab your camera, and maybe next time the sky will deliver a brighter dance.
