The northern lights should be visible in B.C. this week: Here’s what to know

The northern lights are named that for a reason. The spectacular light show formally known as aurora borealis is usually an arctic phenomenon, with only the occasional cameo further south.

But this week, an uncommonly strong solar storm should make the lights more easily seen as far south as the northern U.S. states. People in Metro Vancouver and the south coast of B.C. will also have a chance to see them — at least in places where city light pollution doesn’t spoil the party.

Here are some things to know about the northern lights this week, courtesy of H.R. MacMillan Space Centre astronomer Marley Leacock:

Why is the phenomenon usually not seen here, and what’s different this week?

“The aurora is influenced by the Earth’s magnetic field, which directs solar wind (a flow of charged particles from the sun) towards the poles,” explains Leacock. “The strength of the solar wind determines how far away from the poles the aurora will appear.