Whitehorse
Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon Territory, is a hidden gem for travelers seeking to witness the enchanting Northern Lights. With its stunning natural landscapes and vibrant local culture, Whitehorse offers a remarkable backdrop for an unforgettable aurora experience.
Positioned under the auroral oval, Whitehorse provides excellent opportunities to see the Northern Lights, especially from November to March.
The city is easily accessible, with a variety of accommodations and tour options that cater to aurora hunters.
Visiting Whitehorse for the Northern Lights is a magical experience that combines the spectacular beauty of nature with the charm of the Yukon.
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Credit: Kriz Ly
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Credit: Olga Kovalski
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Credit: naoh cova
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Credit: Ellen Borglund
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Credit: Jeremy Gallman
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Credit: Irinie Lee
How are my chances of seeing the aurora today?
12%
There is a 12% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Whitehorse area (forecast for 28 April 2025 at 11:01am UTC)
Kp 0.67
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.
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 auroral activity.
Density 3.58 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 centimeter (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 408.0 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.
Snow
2°C Feels like -1°C
- High
- 5°C
- Low
- 1°C
- Precipitation: 83%
- Cloud cover: 100%
- Wind: 2 km/h
- Snow: 1mm
Moon
Waxing crescent
- Sun rises at: 6:01am
- Sun sets at: 9:53pm
- Moon rises at: 5:39am
- Moon sets at: 4:00pm
Book an amazing adventure in Whitehorse
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KLUANE NATIONAL PARK - Day-Trip from Whitehorse
4.3 (12)
9 - 10 hours From £214.94
The drive from Whitehorse to Haines Junction and Kluane National Park takes you through the heart of the Yukon wilderness. This incredible drive is full of breathtaking landscapes and scenery, and hopefully lots of wildlife! We spend the afternoon exploring this area along the famous Alaska Highway known for its impressive views. When we arrive in Haines Junction, our first stop is the Parks Canada interpretive centre where we can learn a little bit more about Kluane National Park, and the worlds largest non polar ice field within it. After a quick stop at the bakery, we will continue driving along the edge of Kluane, soaking in the mountain views, to Sheep Mountain. Here we will have a short, easy walk to an incredible viewpoint. On the way back, time and weather permitting, we will also make a stop at Kathleen Lake, within the National Park where we can go for a short stroll along the lake shore.
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Yukon Aurora Viewing Package | 4 days
4.8 (32)
4 days From £512.00
On this 4-day (three nights) Best Value Aurora Viewing tour inclusive City Tour, you’ll discover scenic Whitehorse, the Yukon’s capital, surrounded by endless mountains. On three successive evenings, you’ll travel just outside the city centre, but far enough from the city lights to an idyllic Northern Lights viewing location, the AuroraCentre. The evenings will feature relaxing Northern Lights viewing beside a roaring campfire - the perfect way to enjoy a relaxing vacation. Day times are free for optional sightseeing, shopping and touring in and around the capital.
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Arctic Day: Carcross & Southern Lakes Hiking Tour | full day
No reviews
6 hours 30 minutes From £156.69
Starting in Whitehorse, we take the South Klondike Highway where the mountains rise as we approach Carcross and the Southern Lakes region – which is well know as the photographer’s paradise. On the way we will admire Emerald Lake, called "Rainbow Lake” from the locals due to its sensational coloration. We visit Carcross, a charming lakeshore village teeming with First Nations and gold-rush history.On a hiking tour on scenic trails we will be overlooking the grand Southern Lakes. This region is nowadays the final stop for the White Pass Railway. We visit the smallest desert in the world - the Carcross desert.
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Arctic Day: Yukon Wildlife Half Day Viewing Tour
4.3 (6)
3 hours From £86.79
We will visit the Yukon Wildlife Preserve where you’ll have the opportunity to view and photograph wildlife in its natural habitat. Dalls sheep, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, mule deer, wapiti (elk), woodland caribou, wood bison, musk-ox, moose, arctic fox and even lynx can all be seen on this tour. It's a photographer's and naturalist's dream to see Yukon's wildlife up close and you will be in the front-row to learn about wildlife living year-round in the True North.
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Arctic Day: Yukon Wildlife & Hot Springs Tour | half day
4.8 (14)
5 hours From £127.56
On this half-day tour from Whitehorse, visit the Yukon Wildlife Preserve where you’ll have the opportunity to view and photograph wildlife in their natural habitat. To cap off a great day, relax at the nearby Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs.
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Arctic Day: Aurora Viewing Tour | late night
4.2 (67)
4 hours 30 minutes From £92.61
As one of the most sought-after Northern experiences, a Yukon vacation is only complete with a viewing of the aurora borealis cascading across the Yukon night sky. We invite you to join us at our custom built Aurora viewing location, far from the lights of the city, so you can experience the Northern Lights for yourself – and create your own legends.
Places to check out around Whitehorse
Discover Restaurants, Museums, Art Galleries and more…
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A&W
Fast Food Restaurant
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Antoinette's
Caribbean Restaurant
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Arts Underground
Art Gallery
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Baked
Café
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Burnt Toast Cafe
New American Restaurant
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Copperbelt Railway & Mining Museum
History Museum
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Cork and Bull
Steakhouse
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Giorgios Cucina
Italian Restaurant
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Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre
Monument
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Lake Laberge
Lake
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MacBride Museum Of The Yukon
History Museum
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Midnight Sun Coffee Roasters
Coffee Shop
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Miles Canyon
River
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Millennium Trail
Hiking Trail
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Pho 5 Star Vietnamese Cuisine
Vietnamese Restaurant
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S.S. Klondike National Historic Site
Historic and Protected Site
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Takhini Hot Springs
Hot Spring
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The Chocolate Claim
Bakery
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Whitehorse Fish Rapids
River
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Yukon Arts Centre
Art Gallery
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Yukon Bunsik
Korean Restaurant
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Yukon Transportation Museum
History Museum
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Other places in Canada
See also
Aurora ForecastPlanning Your Northern Lights AdventureNorthern Lights PhotographyScience Of The AuroraNorthern Lights Playlist
