A geomagnetic storm watch has been issued that could bring the northern lights to skies over Cochrane as early as tonight.
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says a G2, or moderate, geomagnetic storm is possible on March 19, caused by a burst of solar material that left the sun earlier this week.
Local aurora tracker Chris Ratzlaff puts the chances of seeing the lights overhead in Alberta at around 35 per cent late Wednesday into early Thursday.
Under these conditions, auroras can appear directly overhead and may even be visible from town.
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Environment Canada is calling for partly cloudy skies Wednesday night, with gusty winds and a low of 3 degrees—conditions that could still allow for some viewing if skies clear.
The Canadian Space Agency says the best chance to catch the northern lights is under dark, clear skies away from city lights, typically a few hours after sunset.
No special equipment is needed—just a bit of patience and a clear view of the sky.