'Unreal. What a night. What a show': Dazzling northern lights display over Canada leave viewers awestruck
A strong weekend solar flare led to a 'severe' geomagnetic storm Monday night, painting the skies in a celestial display of Auroras
Canadians were in for a cosmic treat Monday evening as a magnificent northern lights display painted skies from British Columbia to Ontario in dazzling hues of greens, blues and pinks.
The impact of an X-class solar flare over the weekend led to a 'severe' geomagnetic storm warning over Monday, with weather agencies issuing notice that the flare's aftermath was powerful enough to lead to stunning aurora displays from coast-to-coast Monday night.
WOW! We’ve officially reached the ‘Severe’ (G4) geomagnetic storm level as of 11:16 PM.
While the full moon is dimming the northern lights a bit, this storm is still powerful enough to put on a stunning display.
FAQ: Can I see the northern lights tonight?
Answer: As long as… pic.twitter.com/Ys4HR7u3Oc— Instant Weather Ontario ⚡️ (@IWeatherON) September 17, 2024
Despite the full moon, Canadians were not disappointed, with the first social media users reporting shimmering auroras shortly after 10:30 p.m. EST. We collected some of the most noteworthy posts shared from residents across B.C. to Ontario.
British Columbia
A B.C. photographer shared his perspective of the Northern Lights as he headed down the Sea To Sky highway.
Chasing Northern Lights right now. #SeaToSky #NorthernLights pic.twitter.com/hGSEwEpAlR
— Mark Teasdale ★ (@MarksGonePublic) September 17, 2024
Vancouver residents were also treated to an extremely rare glimpse of the cosmic display.
I can watch this all night 😍 #Aurora #Vancouver #northernlights #AuroraBorealis #spaceweather pic.twitter.com/PzGSwj1K1o
— |)Opp3l6äng3r (@d0pp3l6ang3r) September 17, 2024
Another social media user from North Vancouver detailed that he waited out until 1:30 a.m., but stated "It was worth it."
The #AuroraBorealis over #NorthVancouver #BC’s #DeepCove — waited til 1:30am but it was worth it I guess!#ShareYourWeather #NorthernLights #Aurora #AuroraWatch #YVRwx #BCwx #BCstorm #BCstormwatch #SolarStorm #SpaceWeather #SpaceWX @RandySmall @KMacTWN @Brad604 @HowesNathan pic.twitter.com/UoxKpagk7Q
— Ryan Voutilainen 🇨🇦🇫🇮 (@RyanVoutilainen) September 17, 2024
Alberta
The aurora display over Canada's western Prairie province did not disappoint, with one severe weather journalist capturing this jaw-dropping shot.
A brief but amazing light show over Alberta tonight! #AuroraBorealis #NorthernLights pic.twitter.com/GvgLOJ6EOy
— Kyle Brittain (@BadWeatherKyle) September 17, 2024
Another X user from central Alberta shared some stunning shot of waves of purples, greens and whites directly overhead.
Dear lord 😱 what a FANTASTIC show we had in central Alberta tonight! 💃🏻#aurora #NorthernLights #AuroraBorealis #teamtanner @dartanner @TamithaSkov @chunder10 @scottrockphoto @PeakToSailPhoto @Xhillsblockview pic.twitter.com/DlZeZ1mbWs
— ᴛʀᴇᴇ ᴛᴀɴɴᴇʀ (@treetanner) September 17, 2024
This user shared their views from Sylvan Lake, located in central Alberta.
Quickly pulled a few off the camera. She's going strong still! 🙌
Sylvan Lake, Alberta between 21:10 and 21:45hrs MDT September 16, 2024.#northernlights #aurora #spaceweather @theauroraguy @TamithaSkov @TweetAurora pic.twitter.com/IsIrwyULRT— KB (@abastrophile) September 17, 2024
Saskatchewan
Auroras dazzled over the Saskatchewan skies Monday, with one driver stating they "had to stop and soak in the beauty" while out for a nighttime drive.
Last night, while cruising through Saskatchewan, we were treated to an unforgettable Aurora light show! 🌌 We love colors—whether they’re on a web page or lighting up the sky. Had to stop and soak in the beauty. Sometimes, you just have to pause and enjoy the view. #Aurora… pic.twitter.com/mxGrQ87Ec8
— MyPilot .Online (@MyPilotOnline) September 17, 2024
Another social media user shared their view, and were determined to soak it in, despite chilly temperatures.
Tuesdays, Sept 17, 2024-3:30a.m., #aurora view that developed quickly & slowly disappeared, then clouds/fog rolled in, brrr...its chilly out there in Smoky Burn where #solarflare #NorthernLights in #Sask #Canada #AuroraBorealis #spacewx pic.twitter.com/gI4MZdDUuR
— Karen with a 🍁📷🍁 (@Karen_Hase501) September 17, 2024
This X user captured the shimmering display on their iPhone, despite the light from Monday night's full moon.
#NorthernLights in Southern Sask. With the moon light from the south. iPhone 12 Pro Max pic.twitter.com/0h2jAYvPxM
— Mic (@micmacsk) September 17, 2024
Manitoba
The arrival of the X4.5 solar flare lit up the skies over Manitoba for a "short but sweet colourful show."
Tonight’s stunning #aurora display from the X4.5 #solarflare #CME arrival. The skies of South Indian Lake, Manitoba lit up with beautiful colors!
Short but sweet colorful show.#tweetaurora #northernlights #auroraborealis #astronomy @TamithaSkov @AuroraJAnderson pic.twitter.com/UMiC9dk6nH— Rj Roldan ™ 🔅 (@rjayroldan) September 17, 2024
"Glad the clouds heard my wishes," stated this northern Manitoba social media user, posting several videos of his vantage point of the Aurora Borealis show.
Glad the clouds heard my wishes!
Spell BOOOOM!!!
Thanks #Aurora for the beautiful night in Northern Manitoba! Amazing #coronalaurora and the entire skies were just painted with #northernlights colors!#tweetaurora @theauroraguy @TamithaSkov @Vincent_Ledvina @LachDonna pic.twitter.com/UBSft6FMWH— Rj Roldan ™ 🔅 (@rjayroldan) September 17, 2024
Prairie province viewers were treated to a shimmering display located nearly directly overhead.
Aurora getting a bit stronger! nearly overhead now! Southern Manitoba. 9:50pm #aurora #tweetaurora #northernlights pic.twitter.com/OmVIhjACIH
— Jeremy Rand (@Jeremyrand101) September 17, 2024
Ontario
With the auroral bands stretching as far south as New Mexico, residents near the U.S. border in Ontario were also able to take in the heavenly light show.
Yahoo News Canada editor Corné van Hoepen captured this shot of auroral pillars behind his home in eastern Ontario at 11:25 p.m. EST.
"Southern Ontario got it going," stated this social media user, sharing his views from Grand Bend, Ont.
Southern Ontario got it going! #grandbend @_SpaceWeather_ @spacewxwatch @TamithaSkov #northernlights #AuroraBorealis #sharemyweather pic.twitter.com/NAaNTmvAXj
— Jamie (@PhotoChaserJ) September 17, 2024
This X user put it simply: "Coolest thing I've ever seen."
The #NorthernLights (#AuroraBorealis) from Southern Ontario tonight! Coolest thing I’ve ever seen pic.twitter.com/42Pqnhx412
— ✨ Kayla Thomson ✨ (@kayla__thomson) May 11, 2024
Another Ontario resident shared the northern lights dancing above the Lake Ontario waters.
Check out this great pic of the #NorthernLights from Lake Ontario at Fair Haven! Pic from Kelly Taylor. pic.twitter.com/5paEE7fsRP
— Kate Thornton (@KateThorntonNC9) September 17, 2024