Best Months to See the Northern Lights in the Yukon

Late August is Good for first hunts with short dark windows.

After the midnight sun fades, darkness comes back fast. Late August offers the first real aurora nights of the season. Activity is often surprisingly strong thanks to the autumn equinox effect. Temperatures are mild (0°C to +10°C), making this a comfortable entry point. The downside: nights are still short, giving you a narrower window.

September is Excellent — the autumn equinox drives a reliable activity peak.

September is one of the best-kept secrets of aurora season. The autumn equinox (around September 22–23) reliably produces some of the most intense geomagnetic activity of the year. Nights are growing longer and temperatures are still manageable (-5°C to +5°C). The boreal forest turns gold, making for stunning photography.

October is Prime — long nights, high activity, and crisp clear air.

October marks the start of peak aurora season in the Yukon. Nights run 8–10 hours of darkness. The air is crisp and clear, and geomagnetic activity remains elevated from the equinox. Temperatures drop to -10°C to -20°C — cold enough to require proper layers, but manageable with the right gear. This is when we see some of our most dramatic hunts.

November is Prime — up to 14 hours of darkness and some of our most spectacular displays.

November is consistently one of our strongest months. Up to 14 hours of darkness, stable cold air that keeps the sky clear, and aurora activity that can fill the entire sky. Temperatures range from -15°C to -30°C. The cold is real — but so is the reward. Many of our most memorable hunts happen in November.

December is Excellent for the longest nights, but extreme cold is the real challenge.

December has the longest nights of the year — up to 16 hours of darkness around the solstice. Aurora activity is solid and the landscape is deeply wintery. The challenge is the cold: -25°C to -40°C is common. We operate through December, but guests need to be prepared for extreme cold. The payoff, when the lights appear over a snow-covered boreal forest, is unforgettable.

January is Good for the dedicated — raw wilderness, very few tourists, and serious cold.

January is the coldest month in the Yukon. Aurora activity is present, but geomagnetic conditions are typically quieter than the equinox months. Very few tourists, long nights, and a raw, silent wilderness experience. Temperatures regularly hit -35°C to -45°C. We run tours in January, but we are selective about conditions and guest preparation.

February is Prime — geomagnetic activity climbs toward the spring equinox with moderating cold.

February is a hidden gem. Temperatures begin to moderate slightly (-15°C to -25°C). Days are getting longer but nights are still substantial. Geomagnetic activity starts climbing toward the spring equinox. We consistently see strong aurora in February, and the combination of manageable cold and high activity makes it one of our favourite months.

March is Prime and the best overall month — spring equinox peak, warming temperatures, best photography.

March is arguably the best month of the entire aurora season. The spring equinox (around March 20–21) produces the highest geomagnetic activity of the year. Temperatures are rising (-5°C to -20°C). Days are getting longer and the snow-covered landscape is at its most photogenic. If you can only come once, come in March.

Early April is Good — comfortable temperatures and post-equinox activity, but the season is closing.

Early April still offers real aurora hunting opportunities, especially in the first two weeks. Nights are shortening rapidly, but the post-equinox activity lingers. Temperatures are pleasant (-5°C to +5°C), making this the most comfortable month of the season. By mid-April, nights become too short for reliable hunting.