AuroraCast / Best month / Whitehorse

Best month to see the northern lights in Whitehorse

Planning a trip to Whitehorse, Canada for the aurora? Here's the month-by-month guide. The best months are September, October, March, November. 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 Whitehorse: 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 March and November tend to edge out the dead of winter. Whitehorse's season runs late august to april.

Whitehorse, the Yukon capital, pairs easy access with genuine wilderness darkness minutes from downtown, plus hot springs to wait in.

Where to stand in Whitehorse

Takhini Hot Springs and the Fish Lake road are favourites; drive 15 minutes any direction to escape town lights.

Tours & stays to book

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Northern lights tours from Whitehorse

Viator · guided tours · from $85

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Aurora chases & photo tours in Whitehorse

GetYourGuide · guided tours · from $85

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Cabins, lodges & glass igloos near Whitehorse

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.