AuroraCast / Best month / Fort McMurray

Best month to see the northern lights in Fort McMurray

Planning a trip to Fort McMurray, Canada for the aurora? Here's the month-by-month guide. The best months are September, October, February, March. Looking for tonight's odds instead? →

Month-by-month viewing quality

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
MonthViewingWhy
January Peak Long dark nights + peak activity
February Peak Long dark nights + peak activity
March Peak Long dark nights + peak activity
April Good Plenty of darkness; solid odds
May Marginal Short nights at the season edge
June No — midnight sun Midnight sun — no real darkness
July No — midnight sun Midnight sun — no real darkness
August Good Plenty of darkness; solid odds
September Peak Long dark nights + peak activity
October Peak Long dark nights + peak activity
November Peak Long dark nights + peak activity
December Peak Long dark nights + peak activity

Why these months?

Two things decide your odds in Fort McMurray: darkness and activity. You need real darkness — so the bright midnight-sun months are out no matter how strong the aurora is. On top of that, geomagnetic storms run statistically stronger around the spring and autumn equinoxes (the Russell–McPherron effect), which is why September and October and February and March tend to edge out the dead of winter. Fort McMurray's season runs september to march.

Fort McMurray in northern Alberta is one of the more accessible aurora spots in western Canada, with dark boreal-forest skies a short drive from town.

Where to stand in Fort McMurray

Head out along the highways into the boreal forest; the surrounding area is sparsely lit.

Tours & stays to book

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Northern lights tours from Fort McMurray

Viator · guided tours · from $70

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Aurora chases & photo tours in Fort McMurray

GetYourGuide · guided tours · from $70

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Cabins, lodges & glass igloos near Fort McMurray

Booking.com · lodging

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This guide is built from each month’s dark-hours and the long-run seasonal pattern of aurora activity — it tells you when the odds are best, not what any single night will do. Aurora viewing is never guaranteed. Our method & sources.