Aurora Borealis Forecast — Canada Tonight
Live Kp index · Bz field · City-by-city visibility · Updated every 2 minutes
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Kp Index · Now
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Bz (IMF) · Now
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Solar Wind Speed
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Canadian Cities — Aurora Visibility Tonight
British Columbia
Alberta
Saskatchewan & Manitoba
Ontario
Quebec
Atlantic Canada & Territories
Aurora Visibility by Kp — Canada
| Kp 0–2 | Yukon, NWT, Nunavut — aurora likely overhead |
| Kp 3–4 | Northern BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, northern Ontario & Quebec |
| Kp 5 (G1) | Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Sault Ste. Marie, Sept-Îles |
| Kp 6 (G2) | Vancouver, Calgary, Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Quebec City |
| Kp 7 (G3) | Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax — look north on horizon |
| Kp 8–9 (G4–G5) | Visible across all of Canada including southern Ontario |
Tips for Aurora Viewing in Canada
- Get away from city lights — 30+ km from urban centres makes a major difference
- Watch the Bz component: sustained negative Bz (southward) is the key trigger
- Peak viewing hours are typically 10 PM – 2 AM local time
- Canada's aurora season runs September through March when nights are longest
- Check your local cloud forecast — clear skies are essential
- Northern latitudes (Yukon, NWT) see aurora even during quiet periods (Kp 1–2)
What Is the Kp Index?
The Kp index measures global geomagnetic activity on a scale of 0–9, updated every 3 hours by NOAA. The higher the Kp, the further south aurora becomes visible. A Kp of 5 marks a G1 geomagnetic storm — the threshold where aurora typically reaches southern Canada. Real-time data on this page comes directly from NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center.
Why Bz Matters
The Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field is the single most important aurora predictor. When Bz turns negative (southward), it connects with Earth's magnetic field and allows solar energy in — driving geomagnetic storms and aurora. A sustained Bz of −10 nT or lower significantly increases aurora chances even at moderate Kp levels.