Northern lights in Whitehorse
The best months to see the northern lights in Whitehorse are late Aug to mid-Apr. At 60.7°N, a Kp of 2 is usually enough for a good show from a dark spot, and in December the sky is dark enough for about 14 hours a night.
Whitehorse sits far enough north for regular aurora displays, and Travel Yukon notes next to no light pollution once you leave town. Wilderness starts a short drive away, so visitors can sleep in the city and be driven out to heated viewing sites for the night.
- Tonight
- Checking…
- Kp for a good show
- Kp 2+
- Season
- Late Aug to mid-Apr
- Clearest months
- Sep, Feb, Mar
A notification when NOAA forecasts a storm of Kp 5 or more. Two a day at most.
Live data: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center OVATION forecast and planetary K-index, refreshed every 10 minutes. Cloud is not included, so check a local forecast before you head out.
Darkness, and the clear nights
Travel Yukon: "The aurora is visible between late August and early April," with autumn viewing mid-August to mid-October and winter viewing mid-October to early April; best hours 10 pm to 3 am.
Neither Travel Yukon nor Destination Canada publishes monthly cloud odds; both stress that weather and moonlight decide each night and that local guides move to clearer sites. December and January have the longest nights but the coldest temperatures, while March and April may benefit from equinox activity. An official monthly ECCC 1991–2020 sunshine or cloud figure could not be retrieved for this page.
The best spots around Whitehorse
- Fish LakeTravel Yukon calls its wide-open vistas legendary for sky shows; it lies in the hills just outside the city.
- Schwatka LakeJust outside town, with calm water for reflection shots before freeze-up.
- Grey MountainA short drive from town for an elevated view over the city and valley.
- Chadburn Lake and Mount SimaClose-in areas Travel Yukon picks for minimal light pollution and big northern views.
- Eclipse Nordic Hot SpringsJust outside Whitehorse, a chance to watch the sky from a hot pool.
Getting there, and where to stay
Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport (YXY) is served by Air North with daily direct flights from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Kelowna, Victoria and Yellowknife, and by Air Canada and WestJet. Travellers from the US and the UK connect through Vancouver, Calgary or Edmonton.
- Northern Lights Resort & SpaA wilderness resort just outside Whitehorse with signature Aurora Glass Chalets and dedicated viewing areas for nightly aurora watching.
- Muktuk AdventuresA dog-mushing operation about 20 minutes from downtown on the Takhini River, with cabins and a Northern Lights and Huskies package.
- Plan at least three nights; Travel Yukon recommends a minimum three-night stay.
- Rent a winter clothing package and bring lip balm; winter runs from around 0°C to the minus 20s, with occasional dips to minus 40.
- Bring a camera with manual mode and a tripod, and practise before the trip.
- Give your eyes about 20 minutes to adjust to the dark and avoid bright screens.
Quick answers
When is the best time to see the northern lights in Whitehorse?
The season in Whitehorse runs late Aug to mid-Apr. Travel Yukon: "The aurora is visible between late August and early April," with autumn viewing mid-August to mid-October and winter viewing mid-October to early April; best hours 10 pm to 3 am. You need darkness and a clear sky: in December it is dark enough for about 14 hours a night.
Can you see the northern lights in Whitehorse tonight?
It depends on the Kp index, darkness and cloud. In Whitehorse a Kp of 2 is usually enough. The live map at the top of this page shows NOAA's current aurora forecast and Kp, refreshed every 10 minutes; check a local cloud forecast too.
When is aurora season in Whitehorse?
Travel Yukon says the aurora is visible from late August to early April, with an autumn season to mid-October and a winter season after that.
What time of night is best for the northern lights in Whitehorse?
Travel Yukon gives 10 pm to 3 am as the best window.
Can the aurora be seen in Whitehorse itself?
On active nights, yes, but tour operators drive guests to darker sites outside town with heated shelters for a better view.
How cold does Whitehorse get in aurora season?
Travel Yukon puts winter temperatures from around zero to the minus 20s, with occasional dips to minus 40.
Are sightings guaranteed?
No. Travel Yukon notes the lights cannot be counted on, and weather, atmospheric conditions and moonlight all matter, which is why a three-night minimum is recommended.
- Travel Yukon: northern lights (trade)
- Travel Yukon: where to see the northern lights
- Travel Yukon: getting here by air
- Destination Canada: aurora odds in Whitehorse
- Travel Yukon: Northern Lights Resort & Spa
- Travel Yukon: Muktuk Adventures
Checked 19 October 2026. Partner links are labelled; we may earn a commission, and it never affects what we recommend.