Locations / Canada / Northwest Territories
Yellowknife
Under the oval, with a reputation for clear, still nights.
Next nine nights
Aurora in Yellowknife
Yellowknife is at a lower geographic latitude than Tromsø, but the Earth’s magnetic pole sits displaced toward North America, which puts the town at a high geomagnetic latitude, around 69° N. That is why it is under the auroral oval so often.
The region has a dry, stable continental climate with many clear nights, and operators run viewing sites on the shore of Great Slave Lake with heated cabins.
Because it is a small city, a short drive away reaches dark country. Like all inland high-latitude sites, it gets very cold.
Season
Mid August to mid April, with excellent lake-side viewing from the autumn.
At a glance
- Latitude
- 62.45° N
- Geomagnetic latitude
- ≈ 69° N
- Known for
- High geomagnetic latitude, clear skies
- Time zone
- MST / MDT
Getting there
Yellowknife Airport has flights via Edmonton and Calgary.
Tips for Yellowknife
- Geographic latitude is a poor guide here. Geomagnetic latitude is what matters.
- Autumn nights are milder and often clear; the lake may still be open, which gives reflections.
- Book a heated viewing site if you plan to stay out late.
Clear sky first, Kp second.
Our verdict weighs cloud at 65% and geomagnetic activity at 35%. What is Kp? · Where the cloud forecast comes from
Other places
Tromsø
—The aurora capital of the world, on an island you can reach by direct flight.
Alta
—Drier skies, deep winter, and the birthplace of aurora science.
Lofoten
—Jagged peaks and red fishing huts under a green sky.
Abisko
—A rain shadow beside a frozen lake, reputed to be one of the clearest places in Europe.
Rovaniemi
—On the Arctic Circle, with snow, huskies and glass igloos.
Reykjavík
—Aurora from a capital city, with lava fields and geothermal pools a short drive away.
Fairbanks
—Inland Alaska: cold, dry, and under the oval more nights than almost anywhere in North America.