How to Read an Aurora Forecast
An aurora forecast is easier to read when you know what matters most: geomagnetic activity, darkness, cloud cover, and your location. Here is how to turn the numbers into a better yes-or-no decision.
Northern lights forecast tonight in Canada
Check the estimated chances of seeing the northern lights in various cities and places across Canada, both right now and later tonight. Use the search function to find a specific city, or look for a nearby location if your city isn't listed. Press a city for more information about the aurora forecast for that particular city.
The chances above don't take the weather into account, so be sure to check the forecast to see if it's cloudy or clear.
Keep exploring aurora forecasts in Canada
Use the links below to compare countries, learn how aurora visibility works, and move from a broad Canada forecast to more specific planning pages.
Northern lights forecast for the United StatesCompare aurora chances with the latest forecast pages across the United States.Aurora forecast guides and articlesRead practical explainers on darkness, seasonality, and aurora visibility.Northern lights viewing FAQFind clear answers about clouds, darkness, and when forecast odds matter most.Homepage forecast overviewReturn to the homepage to compare featured cities across both countries.
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Aurora guides for Canada forecast nights
Use these guides to understand why a forecast can look promising in Canada but still depend on darkness, weather, and viewing conditions.
Best Time to See the Northern Lights in the U.S.
The best time to see the northern lights in the U.S. is usually from late fall through early spring, especially in northern states with dark skies and strong geomagnetic activity.
Best Time to See the Northern Lights
The best time to see the northern lights is usually during dark months from late August or September through March, especially on clear nights in northern Canada, Alaska, and the northern U.S. during stronger activity.