The skies over Vancouver Island may soon be lit up with the northern lights, if the geomagnetic storm and clear skies continue to align.

The U.S.’s National Weather Service said the northern lights may be visible tonight.

Heads up photographers and aurora fans. We could see the northern lights tonight. G4 Watch in effect for tonight due to anticipated CME ( coronal mass ejection ) arrival at Earth. For many areas the sky will be clear. #wawx pic.twitter.com/4H44I1S8w7

— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) January 19, 2026

The northern light’s visibility is something that Sherry Buttnor with the Centre of the Universe in Victoria agreed with, saying that it should be seen over Vancouver Island.

“If this thing actually develops the way it looks like it might, auroras could be visible all the way down to California. So if everything matures the way it should, it definitely will be visible over Vancouver Island and much farther south,” Buttnor said to CHEK News.

“There is a caveat to that, though, sometimes this incoming solar wind doesn’t connect with that Earth’s magnetic field properly, and auroras don’t happen, but often they do. So you never actually know if it’s going to happen till it happens, but chances are looking pretty good right now.”

Buttnor says anyone hoping to see the northern lights should make sure to pack their patience if they head out tonight.

“Even really strong Aurora storms like this, you can have it really bright, and it can fade away, and it sort of can come back, so it can fluctuate kind of on and off, or it may just be like falling auroras all night,” she said.

“So it’s always best if you can donate at least a few hours to going out. I know it’s really cold right now, but it’s probably best to get out for several hours at a time and just be patient and watch for it.”

For best chance of seeing the lights, Buttnor says to get away from city lights, and find a place like a beach or hilltop, then look north.

“The way this thing is looking at the moment, at least, anyways, you may even be able to see them from right inside the city limits as well,” she said.

“But the rule of thumb is always to try and get away from the city lights as best you can.”