Sushi North : Yellowknife : Seek The Aurora

Yellowknife

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Yellowknife, the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories, is renowned for its breathtaking display of the Northern Lights. Nestled on the shores of Great Slave Lake, this vibrant city offers a unique blend of culture, adventure, and stunning natural beauty.

Yellowknife is located directly under the auroral oval, making it one of the best places in the world to witness the Northern Lights, particularly from late August to mid-April. The region’s cold climate often results in clear nights, enhancing your chances of seeing this spectacular phenomenon.

Visiting Yellowknife to see the Northern Lights is truly a bucket-list experience, combining the magic of the aurora with the warmth of local hospitality. Yellowknife is home to Aurora Village. Are you ready to plan your adventure under the stars?

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

How are my chances of seeing the aurora today?

9%

There is a 9% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Yellowknife area (forecast for 19 September 2025 at 9:33am 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 0.58 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 425.2 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.

Rain

13°C Feels like 12°C

High: 15°C
Low: 10°C

Precipitation: 53%
Cloud cover: 6%
Wind: 5 km/h
Rain: 1mm

Moon

Waning crescent

Sun rises at: 7:14am
Sun sets at: 7:48pm
Moon rises at: 4:00am
Moon sets at: 7:34pm

Book an amazing adventure in Yellowknife

Free cancellation

Northern Lights Tour Yellowknife

4.8 (295)

4 hours From £54.02

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.
4D3N Aurora Package – Chinese Tour (Chateau/Explorer Stay)

4.5 (21)

4 days From £485.12

Stay at the top-rated Explorer Hotel or Chateau Nova. Our Aurora Lodge offers a spacious and cozy indoor area where you can comfortably wait for the Aurora without facing the cold or crowded vehicles. Package includes: ️24-hour airport pickup ️A city tour featuring must-see landmarks such as Pilots Monument, the Visitor Centre (where you can receive a certificate and a small knife), Ndilo, and Old Town. ️✅During the winter, enjoy the Ice Road, and in March, experience the Ice Castle. ️Free Aurora photos delivered via a drive link, allowing you to cherish the memories of your trip forever. ️Warm and cozy Aurora Lodge viewing, plus Aurora hunting. ️Experienced drivers and guides, with commercial vehicles equipped with $2 million in insurance, ensuring a safe and worry-free journey. Note: This tour is not primarily conducted in English but is suitable for English-speaking tourists who are flexible with language.
Free cancellation Likely to sell out

Yellowknife Aurora Hunting Tours by Bus

5.0 (15)

4 hours From £59.48

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.
Intimate Aurora Tours Cozy Cabin Bucket List

4.9 (256)

4 hours From £77.90

We are local with plenty of Northern stories to share. Our tours are small and the cabin is warm and cozy. We offer a great light midnight lunch that includes hot bannock and local fish chowder. Coffee and several varieties of teas including northern teas. teas is included, you are invited to bring a beverage of your choice such as champagne to celebrate under the aurora. We have fun Northern clothing to dress up for photo ops. Small groups can book entire cabin for private use. Cost is based on price of 12 guests. ******** We must have a minimum of 5 guests to operate tour*********
4-Day Aurora Viewing Tour in Yellowknife, Canada

No reviews

4 days From £445.47

Yellowknife is easily one of the best places in the world to observe the aurora! It is also known as the "Northern Lights Capital." Take a look at the beauty of the aurora and if you’re extremely lucky you may even catch an extremely rare yellow-purple aurora! Enjoy an unforgettable 4-day and 3-night amazing tour with a 95% probability of seeing the aurora! Comfortably stay in a 4-star Yellowknife hotel and choose any of our classic winter activities from dog sledding to ice fishing. Discover and receive the aurora/Arctic Circle certificates or small badges at the local tourist centers to keep souvenirs of the most beautiful aurora moment! One Room Selection The maximum occupancy per room is four travelers.If you are a party of more than four guests or desire to have separate rooms, please provide a separate booking. Avoid traveling in a different bus? If you have more than one booking,please provide all confirmation numbers once your bookings are complete.
Yellowknife Winter 5 Days 4 Nights: Aurora and Day Activities

5.0 (27)

5 days From £698.49

At least 1 day time activity per day. Flexible aurora tour to allow comfort and maximum chance of viewing. 3 Included meal. Early Bird Special: Free 4 piece winter clothing rental if bundle is booked at least 45 days before Arrival Day. Winter Clothing includes Parka, Snow Pants, Winter Boots, Winter Mitts. Amazing price compared to individual bookings. No hassle and no worry. Optional Hotel booking arrangement.