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Aurora tonight inEdmonton

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Northern lights guide

Seeing the northern lights from Edmonton

Edmonton sits at 59.9° magnetic latitude, just south of the usual auroral oval. A Kp of about 1.0 brings aurora into view low on the northern horizon, and about 3.2 puts it overhead.

Kp needed
1.0
On the northern horizon. Overhead from about Kp 3.2.
Look toward
NNE 12°
Facing north-northeast, toward the magnetic pole.
Best hours
12:10 AM–4:10 AM
Centered on magnetic midnight, 2:10 AM local time in December.
How often
Often
A few nights a month in quiet years, and many more when the sun is active. A rough guide.

Dark hours by month

Hours each night with the sun at least 12° below the horizon, on the 15th of each month.

January: 13.2 hours13JanFebruary: 11.5 hours12FebMarch: 9.5 hours10MarApril: 7.2 hours7AprMay: 4.3 hours4MayJune: 2.0 hours2JunJuly: 3.3 hours3JulAugust: 6.2 hours6AugSeptember: 8.7 hours9SepOctober: 11.0 hours11OctNovember: 12.7 hours13NovDecember: 13.7 hours14Dec

The dark-sky season runs from August to May. Geomagnetic activity also tends to run higher around the March and September equinoxes.

What each storm level means here

The higher the Kp index, the farther the oval spreads toward the equator.

  • Kp 9G5 extreme storm: aurora overhead from Edmonton
  • Kp 7G3 strong storm: aurora overhead from Edmonton
  • Kp 5G1 minor storm: aurora overhead from Edmonton
  • Kp 3Unsettled: aurora on the horizon from Edmonton
  • Kp 1Quiet: aurora not in view from Edmonton

Questions about the aurora in Edmonton

Can you see the northern lights in Edmonton?

Yes, on active nights. You need a Kp of about 1.0 for aurora on the northern horizon and clear, dark skies away from city lights.

What Kp index do you need to see the aurora in Edmonton?

About Kp 1.0 for aurora on the northern horizon and about Kp 3.2 for aurora overhead. These come from Edmonton's magnetic latitude of 59.9°.

Which direction should I look for the aurora in Edmonton?

Face north-northeast (12°), toward the magnetic pole. That is where the aurora rises first. In a strong storm it can spread across the whole sky.

What time of night is best for the aurora in Edmonton?

Activity often peaks around magnetic midnight, which falls near 2:10 AM local time in Edmonton in December. The two hours either side are the best window.

When is aurora season in Edmonton?

The dark-sky season runs from August to May. Geomagnetic activity also tends to run higher around the March and September equinoxes.