Yellowknife

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Yellowknife is the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories, sitting at 62°N on the northern shore of Great Slave Lake, one of the deepest lakes in North America. The city lies directly beneath the auroral oval and is widely considered one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. NASA data suggests that aurora is visible from Yellowknife on an average of around 240 nights per year, and the region’s dry, continental climate produces clear skies more often than coastal locations at similar latitudes.

Aurora Village, a dedicated viewing site on the outskirts of the city, is one of Canada’s best-known aurora tourism operations. Visitors sit in heated teepees and step outside when the lights appear. Other popular viewing spots include Prospector’s Point, the Ingraham Trail corridor and the frozen expanse of Great Slave Lake itself, where the flat ice provides unobstructed 360-degree horizons.

Yellowknife has a frontier character that sets it apart from southern Canadian cities. The Old Town, built on rocky outcrops along the lakeshore, is a jumble of houseboats, log cabins and colourful buildings. The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre covers the history and culture of the region’s Dene and Métis peoples. Dog sledding, snowmobile tours, ice fishing and ice road driving are popular winter activities.

The city has a domestic airport with regular flights from Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa. It’s remote, the nearest city of any size is Edmonton, around 1,500 km to the south, but that remoteness is precisely what makes the aurora viewing so reliable. For those willing to make the journey, Yellowknife delivers some of the most consistent Northern Lights experiences available anywhere.

Credit: Ken Cheung
Credit: Ken Cheung
Credit: kwan fung
Credit: kwan fung
Credit: Ian Keefe
Credit: Sydney Haws
Credit: Luke Moore

How are my chances of seeing the aurora today?

Many factors contribute to your likelihood of viewing the aurora in Yellowknife. 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.

20%

There is a 20% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Yellowknife area (forecast for 10 October 2026 at 10:45am UTC)

Kp 3.00

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 39 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 -3 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 10 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 5.91 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 407.6 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

New moon 0%

Sunrise 8:09am

Sunset 6:39pm

Moonrise 8:37am

Moonset 5:54pm

Clouds

1°C Feels like 1°C

High: 4°C
Low: -1°C

Chance of precipitation 0%
Cloud cover 79%
Southerly winds 7 km/h gusts of 12 km/h

Aurora season in Yellowknife

The aurora season in Yellowknife runs from August to April. The best viewing conditions are in the peak months of September, October, February and March.

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Oct

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Dec

Peak viewing In season Off season

Book an amazing adventure in Yellowknife

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

Free cancellation

Northern Lights Tour Yellowknife

4.8 (427)

4 hours From £51.54

Wonderful and Amazing experience while going through the famous Ingraham trail to view the Northern Lights in our bus. There are lakes with breathtakingly beautiful landscapes on this trail for you to See Experience & Enjoy this wonderful Northern Lights tour with a tour guide who will click pictures for you. This type of tour is an amazing style of tour that increases your chances to see the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) with spectacular backgrounds and landscapes in your pictures at various lakes with amazing Northern Lights. This is the only Northern Lights tour in Yellowknife where you get "Your" free Pictures and complimentary snack. This tour is cost-effective and provides Pictures, Snacks, Pick & Drop. Important Info: This is a Nature tour. During winter months, Please make sure to dress warm or rent winter clothing from any Tour Operator in Yellowknife.
Yellowknife 4 Days 3 Nights Aurora Hunting with Airport Service

4.5 (2)

4 days From £189.89

⭐ Why This Itinerary Works • Three nights = higher aurora success rate • Flexible routes based on real-time sky conditions • Wilderness locations with minimal light pollution • Designed around late arrivals & early departures
Free cancellation

Yellowknife: Aurora Chasing + Aurora Lodge

4.6 (143)

4 hours From £73.99

The best of both worlds, Aurora Chasing and Aurora Lodge! This is the Aurora Tour that allow you to have the cake and eat it too! On a cold and clear night, guests will spend more time in a spacious and warm Lodge near Madeline Lake and wait for the aurora show to begin. While waiting, there will be a display of various furs and animal products, guests will also have access to board games, cards, majong, arcades, foosball, and basket ball shooter. Light snacks and hot beverages are also provided. View the aurora in comfort, go to proper washrooms without freezing your butts off in comfort. On a night with roaming cloud, Guests will spend more time driving to clearer location to have better chance to see the Aurora. If the location of the Aurora Chasing is near the lodge, guests may use the lodge to rest and recuperate. Professional photographer will take guests photos and provide original digital photos to all guests at no additional charge.
Free cancellation

Yellowknife Aurora Hunting Tours by Bus

5.0 (61)

4 - 5 hours From £52.63

Our expert guides are not only knowledgeable but also passionate about sharing their love for the Northern Lights with you. They know the best spots for viewing and will go above and beyond to ensure you have a memorable experience. We also prioritize comfort and convenience by picking you up directly from your hotel, so you can relax and enjoy the journey without any hassle. Additionally, our small group sizes allow for a more intimate and immersive experience, ensuring that you get the most out of your aurora hunting adventure. Finally, safety is our top priority. Our guides are trained in wilderness first aid and are equipped to handle any situation that may arise, giving you peace of mind as you embark on this incredible journey.
Free cancellation

Bison and North Arm Scenic Highway Bus Tour

4.2 (5)

4 hours From £80.84

Join NWT Charter Services on a 4-hour round-trip wildlife tour along scenic Highway 3 and experience the thrill of searching for North America’s largest free-roaming wood bison herd. Led by a local guide, you’ll journey through the rugged beauty near Great Slave Lake with chances to see bison, moose, foxes, and more in their natural environment. Hear stories of the land and Indigenous culture as we pass through the Tłı̨chǫ community of Edzo, with photo stops along the way. Every tour is a unique adventure—book now and see what the wild North has in store!
Free cancellation

Aurora Hunting Tour in Yellowknife — Shared Bus

4.5 (10)

4 hours From £69.99

Go beyond the city lights on a true aurora-hunting adventure along Yellowknife’s scenic Ingraham Trail. Rather than waiting at one fixed location, we travel between promising dark-sky viewing areas based on the night’s weather, cloud cover and aurora activity. When the official ice roads are open and conditions are safe, we may even venture onto frozen lakes for breathtaking, wide-open views of the northern sky. Stay warm between viewing stops in a heated 16- or 24-passenger bus while enjoying hot chocolate, maple cookies and chips. With convenient pickup and drop-off from selected Yellowknife accommodations, local guidance and a flexible route, this is a comfortable and memorable way to experience the magic of the North. The locations visited depend on cloud cover, weather, road conditions, aurora activity and the guide’s judgment. Aurora sightings and ice-road access cannot be guaranteed.