Edmonton

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Edmonton is Alberta’s capital city, sitting at 53°N on the North Saskatchewan River in the Canadian prairies. It’s one of the most northerly major cities in North America, and while city light pollution limits viewing from the centre, Edmonton’s position means the Northern Lights are visible surprisingly often from darker locations on the outskirts and surrounding countryside. During strong geomagnetic storms, displays can be seen from within the city itself.

The flat prairie landscape surrounding Edmonton provides low, unobstructed horizons to the north, which is ideal for spotting aurora even at lower Kp levels. Elk Island National Park, around 45 minutes east of the city, is a designated Dark Sky Preserve and one of the most popular aurora viewing spots in the region. The rural areas north of the city along Highway 28 and the Athabasca region also offer excellent dark skies.

Edmonton is a large, modern city with a population of over a million in its metropolitan area. The Royal Alberta Museum is one of western Canada’s finest, and the North Saskatchewan River Valley, the longest stretch of connected urban parkland in North America, offers extensive trails for walking, cycling and cross-country skiing. West Edmonton Mall, once the world’s largest shopping centre, remains a significant attraction. The city has a strong arts and festival scene, with the Edmonton International Fringe Festival being one of the world’s largest.

Edmonton’s international airport has direct flights from across Canada, the US and several European destinations. The city is also the main gateway to Jasper National Park, around four hours’ drive to the west, and for the adventurous, acts as a natural starting point for road trips into northern Alberta and beyond to Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories.

Credit: Condor Wei
Credit: Olga MikKo
Credit: Condor Wei
Credit: Darby P
Credit: Jigar Patel
Credit: Serey Kim
Credit: Jimmy Liao
Credit: Henry C Wong
Credit: Ali Kazal

How are my chances of seeing the aurora today?

Many factors contribute to your likelihood of viewing the aurora in Edmonton. Geomagnetic activity, cloud cover and the amount of ambient light all play a big part. Check the forecasts for how good the viewing conditions are today.

There is a 1% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Edmonton area (forecast for 26 August 2026 at 5:20am UTC)

Kp 0.33

The Kp-index is a scale used to measure geomagnetic activity. It ranges from 0 to 9, with higher values indicating greater geomagnetic activity.

0-2 (Very low) Far north, quite dim, and not very active.
3-5 (Moderate) Can be seen further south, with increased brightness and activity. Chance of good viewing conditions nearer the pole.
6-7 (High) Visible in many northern regions, with vibrant displays.
8-9 (Extreme) Widespread visibility, often seen in areas much further south than usual, with intense and colorful displays.

HPI 13 GW

The Hemispheric Power Index (HPI) is a vital measure used to assess the strength of auroral activity at the poles. It estimates the total auroral energy input, with values above 20 GW indicating an aurora-active state. When the HPI reaches levels of 100 GW or more, it signifies a very significant geomagnetic storm, which can lead to spectacular auroral displays.

Bz 1 nT

Bz refers to the north-south orientation of the magnetic field embedded in the solar wind. It is measured in nanoteslas (nT).

When Bz is negative (southward), it allows solar wind particles to penetrate the Earth’s magnetic field more easily. A strong negative Bz is often associated with increased chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

Conversely, when Bz is positive (northward), the Earth’s magnetic field tends to block the solar wind, resulting in reduced aurora activity.

Bt 3 nT

Bt measures the overall power of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) from the Sun; higher numbers (e.g., above 20 nT) mean more energy available for aurora.

Density 1.85 p/cm³

Solar wind density refers to the number of charged particles in a given volume of the solar wind, typically measured in particles per cubic centimetre (p/cm³).

A typical solar wind density is around 2.76 p/cm³.

The density of the solar wind affects how many particles reach the Earth’s magnetosphere. A higher density means more particles are available to interact with the Earth’s magnetic field. When these charged particles collide with the gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, energy is released in the form of light that we see as the aurora.

Speed 312.7 km/s

Solar wind speed refers to the velocity at which charged particles are ejected from the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona.

A typical solar wind speed is about 375 km/s. When both speed and density are high, the energy transferred to the Earth’s magnetosphere increases, enhancing the chances of seeing vibrant auroras.

Moon

Waxing gibbous 84%

Sunrise 6:31am

Sunset 8:41pm

Moonrise 8:02pm

Moonset 3:12am

Clear

18°C Feels like 17°C

High: 27°C
Low: 12°C

Chance of precipitation 0%
Cloud cover 6%
Southerly winds 3 km/h gusts of 4 km/h

Aurora season in Edmonton

The aurora season in Edmonton runs from October to March, with the best viewing conditions in October, November, February and March.

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Peak viewing In season Off season

Book an amazing adventure in Edmonton

Explore this selection of tours and activities to make the most of your visit to Edmonton.

Free cancellation

Edmonton River Valley 60-Minute Segway Adventure

4.7 (78)

1 hour From £32.49

On this 60-minute Segway tour in Edmonton, Alberta, you will receive in-depth training from a certified Segway trainer. After the training, get ready for the experience of a lifetime as you ride through Edmonton’s world famous river valley. This tour offers multiple departure times throughout the day. Please Note: A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
Free cancellation

Edmonton Explorer | Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour

4.3 (25)

1 hour 30 minutes - 2 hours From £27.29

Edmonton Explorer provides the premier vintage trolley sightseeing experience in Alberta. Join a hop-on, hop-off tour on our 1920s-inspired Molly Trolley’s to connect 20 curated stops. With 24-hour and 72-hour tickets, you can pick where you jump on and off to discover all of Edmonton’s best attractions, enjoying a seamless, story-driven journey. As the official ride of the Discover Edmonton Pass, we make it easy to connect West Edmonton Mall, downtown, and the River Valley into a seamless, stress-free adventure—whether you're here for a quick day trip or a full long weekend - you'll be able to get everywhere you want to go easily!
Free cancellation

Edmonton River Valley 90-Minute Segway Adventure

4.7 (95)

1 hour 30 minutes From £46.02

On this 90-minute Segway tour of Edmonton, Alberta, you will receive in-depth training from a certified Segway trainer. After the training, get ready for the experience of a lifetime as you ride through Edmonton’s world famous river valley.
Free cancellation Private tour

Private | Edmonton City Highlights Walking Tour

5.0 (2)

2 - 3 hours From £103.71

Experience Edmonton like never before with a private walking tour led by a passionate local guide. Choose between a 2-hour or 3-hour personalized experience and discover the vibrant heart of Canada’s northernmost major city, a fascinating blend of rich heritage, cultural landmarks, and modern innovation. Throughout the tour, your private guide will tailor the experience to your interests, sharing captivating stories about Edmonton’s role in shaping Alberta and Canada. Stroll past iconic sites, uncover hidden gems, and gain a deeper understanding of what makes this city truly unique. Perfect for families, groups, or curious travelers, this tour offers flexibility, expert insight, and plenty of opportunities for great photos. By the end, you’ll leave with a genuine connection to Edmonton, and local recommendations to make the most of your stay.
Free cancellation

Edmonton's #1 Food Bike Tour: The Best Local Food Tour on E-Bikes

5.0 (55)

4 hours From £107.76

Join our exciting two-wheel Culinary Adventure in Edmonton! Our e-bike tour is led by charismatic guides who will take you to various local food destinations. Indulge in delicious eats and enjoy a VIP behind-the-scenes experience with Edmonton's top chefs. Discover stunning natural landscapes as we cycle in the River Valley, uncovering hidden local treasures. We'll make three food stops for substantial sampling of Edmonton’s best culinary delights, biking an average of 30-minutes between each stop at a casual pace. Come hungry and taste everything Edmonton has to offer!
Free cancellation Private tour

Self-Guided Audio Tours for the Canadian Rockies

4.9 (24)

12 - 24 hours From £29.84

Don't miss a thing as GuideAlong's Canadian Rockies Audio Tour takes you on an incredible journey through craggy mountains, sparkling lakes, and ancient glaciers. Along the way, you'll be guided to all of the area's famous highlights while you spot wildlife along with the world's most scenic drives. This self-guided audio tour helps you discover more on your road trip with fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, local tips, and directions that play automatically along the drive. Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace so you can spend more time at places that interest you, and bypass any that don’t. Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates.