What are the chances to see the Northern Lights in East Canada in December?
I want to see the Northern Lights in Canada this Christmas break. I will be flying to Toronto and then drive north to find a good non-light polluted spot to see them.
I have found this map but it does not really say much about the intensity of the Northern Lights (after all it should be worth it). Driving up all the way to Smooth Rock falls or even getting to Mooseonee would be an option.
Best Answer
The map cited by the original poster @Hans Tausend (copyright 2012) is outdated, and the solar maximum mentioned is long past.
For current information on space weather see this page from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. See the forecast video about 1/3 down the page on the right. Unfortunately the forecast only goes out 24 hours.
I haven't spent much time in eastern Canada and don't have any first-hand information about whether aurora is commonly visible this month. Visibility of aurora has more to do with activity on the sun than with the season of the year (as long as it is dark enough at the time of the aurora).
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Can you see the Northern Lights in Canada in December?
November, December, January, and February: The days are very short and the nights are very dark, so it is easy to see northern lights in the North when the skies are clear.Where in eastern Canada can you see the Northern Lights?
The Best Places to See the Northern Lights in CanadaWhere in Ontario can you see the Northern Lights in December?
In Ontario, the best places are:- Manitoulin Island: This natural wonder is the only Dark Sky Preserve in northern Ontario and has some of the province's inkiest skies. ...
- Cree Village Ecolodge: The Arctic gateway on the Moose River near James Bay, Moosonee is accessible only by the train or air.
Where in Canada can you see the Northern Lights in 2021?
While far-eastern Canada tends to be cloudy, the shore of the Hudson Bay, the northern Canadian towns of Yellowknife or Whitehorse, or the west coast of Alaska are usually good bets.CHEAPEST way to see Aurora Lights - Dream Come True
More answers regarding what are the chances to see the Northern Lights in East Canada in December?
Answer 2
You need three things to see the northern lights:
- Darkness (winter rather than summer and as little light pollution as possible)
- A location at the right latitude (in the so-called “aurora belt” - it actually moves depending on the intensity of solar activity but the point is that further north is not always better, although I have seen great displays in Svalbard)
- Lack of cloud cover
This will maximize your chances to see the northern lights. Activity goes up and down and there are apps with short-term forecast but you cannot predict that a month in advance or find stable differences between places along the “aurora belt” so no need to agonize over which specific spot you are going to.
Perhaps a bit surprisingly, the most important factor on which your choice can have some influence is therefore the cloud cover (and not the aurora activity itself): check climate charts, avoid places on the coast, look at the weather forecast when you hit the road, etc.
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