City
Seeing the northern lights from Winnipeg
Winnipeg sits at 58.0° magnetic latitude, just south of the usual auroral oval. A Kp of about 1.9 brings aurora into view low on the northern horizon, and about 4.1 puts it overhead.
Dark hours by month
Hours each night with the sun at least 12° below the horizon, on the 15th of each month.
There is a dark sky every night of the year, so aurora season never closes in Winnipeg. 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 Winnipeg
- Kp 7G3 strong storm: aurora overhead from Winnipeg
- Kp 5G1 minor storm: aurora overhead from Winnipeg
- Kp 3Unsettled: aurora on the horizon from Winnipeg
- Kp 1Quiet: aurora not in view from Winnipeg
Questions about the aurora in Winnipeg
Can you see the northern lights in Winnipeg?
Yes, on active nights. You need a Kp of about 1.9 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 Winnipeg?
About Kp 1.9 for aurora on the northern horizon and about Kp 4.1 for aurora overhead. These come from Winnipeg's magnetic latitude of 58.0°.
Which direction should I look for the aurora in Winnipeg?
Face north (7°), 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 Winnipeg?
Activity often peaks around magnetic midnight, which falls near 1:55 AM local time in Winnipeg in December. The two hours either side are the best window.
When is aurora season in Winnipeg?
There is a dark sky every night of the year, so aurora season never closes in Winnipeg. Geomagnetic activity also tends to run higher around the March and September equinoxes.