Published on January 22, 2024 at 3:24 p.m.
Updated January 22, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
There is a chance to see the northern lights on the night of Monday to Tuesday. However, weather conditions could spoil the fun. Explanations.
Geomagnetic storm
A geomagnetic storm could create conditions conducive to good-intensity auroras across much of Quebec. Solar particles are expected to reach Earth overnight Monday through Tuesday. The Kp index for tonight is 6, meaning a moderate storm and a chance for aurora hunters.
To the south
The Northern Lights could be visible as far south as the province, between the green and yellow lines. Also, the best time to see them is Tuesday between 1 and 4 am. We were able to see them even earlier on Monday evening, between 4 and 10 p.m.
Clouds could be a problem
Certainly the solar particles that will hit the Earth are an opportunity to observe the phenomenon. But the cloud cover that will dominate most of Quebec overnight Monday into Tuesday could well spoil the show. In fact, people staying north of the Rouyn-Noranda-Saguenay line should be in the front row as the skies should be clear in these regions.
Good to know : The Kp index is an indicator of geomagnetic activity and ranges from 0 to 9. It is often used to determine the probability of observing auroras in several specific regions.
In collaboration with Nicolas Lessard, meteorologist.