Lights Out: The Aurora Borealis in Canada

So you’re planning a trip to Canada. Maybe you’re in Canada already. You’re faced with the existential travel question: “What should we do?” From beautiful cityscapes to cascading mountains, and icy blue lakes, Canada’s got something for every traveler to enjoy. But maybe you’re the person who’s experienced the landscapes. You’re looking for something more, something unique, and something new. Unbeknownst to most, Canada offers a view of one of the most amazing wonders of the world: The Aurora Borealis. 

What is the Aurora Borealis?

The aurora borealis, more commonly known as the Northern Lights, are highly sought after as a once in a lifetime experience. The reason for this display, defined by Physicist Dr. Elizabeth McDonald, is that “the sun is ejecting charged particles from its corona, or upper atmosphere, creating the solar wind. When that wind slams into Earth's ionosphere or upper atmosphere, the aurora is born. The aurora creates a ribbon-like display of greens, purples, blues, and reds.

It’s a phenomenon that can make the worst days, moods, and problems cease to exist. It’s that surreal, ethereal moment that travelers around the world yearn for the opportunity to catch a glimpse of. 

How Do I See the Aurora Borealis?

The Northern Lights are not so easy as looking outside and hoping to see them. There are entire weather systems that track the Earth’s geomagnetism to give an estimate of where there is potential for the lights to be seen. That may sound complicated, but Chiku’s here to help you.

Current Forecast

The NOAA has a forecast of the Aurora crests, in which the green crests can give you an idea of where the lights can be seen. Further apps, such as Aurora, give more information about viewing the lights, such as cloud cover and KPI (a rating of electromagnetic storm conditions). 

Aurora IOS

Aurora Android

With an understanding of whether there is a possibility to see the lights, the next step is figuring out what time they’re going to be visible. The NOAA forecast shows a 30 minute prediction of where the Borealis may be, that is constantly being updated. But, there are a few general tips to be aware of as well. The lights typically show up in the middle hours of the night, sometime between 11 pm and midnight. For the best viewing potential, areas away from cities and light pollution allow for the greatest chances for particles to create these dancing displays. Finally, cloud cover is important to keep in mind, as a high cloud cover will block the lights from being visible. 

Where do I see the Northern Lights?

You’re now prepared to get out and chase the lights, but where exactly does Canada come into this? The list below provides some of the best Canadian towns for the Northern Lights:

Yellowknife, Yukon The Yukon territory sits to the right of Alaska and falls within the normal crest of the aurora. Its wilderness appeal allows for low light pollution and large open skies, making it a perfect town to begin your search with.

Churchill, Manitoba Located on the southwestern portion of the Hudson Bay, Churchill provides a variety of calm conditions that produce a vigorous display of dancing lights. Churchill also offers a wide variety of other activities, such as dog sledding.

Jasper, Alberta The town of Jasper is home to a dark sky preserve and planetarium, with a focus specifically on seeing the Northern Lights. Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, it makes it the perfect all-around destination for adventures high and low.

Now that you are a certified expert on the Northern Lights, at least in our books, it’s time to wander about.