Live forecasts across North America and Europe
Find the closest city forecast and get a clear answer before you head outside.
Here, you'll find the estimated chances of seeing the northern lights right now in cities and places across the U.S. and Canada, and Europe, as well as the forecast for later tonight. Check the city closest to you to see your best chances of spotting the aurora today. The cities are initially sorted by latitude, with the northernmost ones listed first.
Live location outlooks
| Yellowknife | Medium | High |
| Whitehorse | Low | High |
| Edmonton | Low | High |
| Calgary | None | High |
| Winnipeg | Low | High |
| Vancouver | None | Medium |
| Montreal | Low | Medium |
| Ottawa | Low | Medium |
| Toronto | None | Low |
| Mississauga | None | Low |
| Windsor | None | None |
13 countries · 112 locations
Open a full regional directory when you want more city coverage, or use the guides to understand what the local forecast means.
Learn
Friendly guides for understanding the aurora, planning better nights outside, and knowing when the sky is worth a look.
Yes, but only rarely. California can see the northern lights during unusually strong geomagnetic storms, and even then the best odds are usually in darker northern areas with a clear view of the northern horizon.
A substorm is a short-lived burst of aurora activity that can make the northern lights brighten, move faster, and become easier to spot for a while.
To see the northern lights, you need darkness, clear skies, low light pollution, and enough geomagnetic activity at the same time. This beginner guide explains what actually matters and how to improve your odds in the U.S. and Canada.