Photo credit Shelly Rose Gerein Facebook
A powerful geomagnetic storm created some vivid northern lights on Tuesday night.
The geomagnetic scale is rated from G1 (weakest) to G5 (strongest). Tuesday’s rating by scientists was G3 (strong). Scientists have also issued a rare G4 geomagnetic storm warning on Wednesday.
Keane Kokolsky, Meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, says there is potential for cloud Wednesday night, unlike Tuesday night which was crisp and clear.
“With that low-pressure system that’s moving in off the west coast right now, we have what’s called cross barrier flow, and that’s bringing that moisture across the Rockies right now. That results in some cloud cover that more or less kind of lingers around the foothills in Alberta, and that can actually reach into south-Saskatchewan.”
He says it is higher cloud, but there is potential for clouds to drift in disrupting viewing Wednesday night.
Aside from nice views, some parts of Saskatchewan will also be feeling some unseasonably pleasant temperatures, with double digit highs expected to close out the work week.
Kokolsky says a low-pressure system just off the west coast which is moving inland.
“That’s going to be bringing in that warmer pacific air, and potential for some snow and freezing rain, but that’s going to be further north of Saskatoon for northern Saskatchewan. Further south, it’s going to be springing into those warmer temperatures before the colder trend returns here by the weekend.”
The “cold front” is actually ushering in what would be considered seasonal temperatures for mid-November. Normal highs at this time of year are around -1 and the overnight low -9.
He adds that game day temperatures for the Grey Cup in Winnipeg right now are around 0 or -1 degree Celsius. He adds that wind might be the factor to watch out for.
“With that low pressure system that is moving off to the north, it looks like the winds will be out of the west northwest as the system crosses to the north there. Potentially a little bit windy for the game out of the north. Anywhere between 20 to 40 kilometres an hour winds at best out of the north for game time.”
