Northern lights in Churchill

Tonight’s aurora forecast for Churchill, where to watch, and when the sky is usually clear.

The night of Sunday 1 November, Churchill time (CDT)

Tonight’s dark hours are over

The forecast for the coming night appears here during the day.

  • CloudClearAverage cloud cover 2% after dark
  • AuroraNo reading yetKp 3 forecast at its highest
  • DarknessDark from 7:00 PMUntil 7:00 AM
  • MoonRises around 12:00 AM48% lit · brighter after

High confidence · Forecast data up to date · What this means

Forecast details
  • Cloud forecast updated 10:31 AM
  • Aurora forecast issued 7:30 AM
  • Recalculated by Little Aurora 11:45 AM
  • This page made 11:49 AM

Churchill time. The sources’ times say how fresh the forecast is; the page’s own time doesn’t. What these mean

Where to watch near Churchill

Town beach inukshuk

Coast

Tonight: too light

Hudson Bay shore behind the Town Centre Complex, where the town's inukshuk is often photographed under the aurora.

Getting there
2 min drive
Darkness
Some glow: town glow on the horizon
Good to know
Travel Manitoba says a bear guide is still required when travelling independently around Churchill. Call the Polar Bear Alert line, 204-675-2327, only to report a bear in or near town.
Safety
The town beach next to the school, library and hospital is a hot spot for polar bears coming inland. Never go beyond a polar bear warning sign; travel in groups and never walk alone. Groups of three or fewer should use a taxi or designated driver after 10 p.m. in the fall; if you must walk, stay on main streets and avoid dimly lit areas. Leave vehicle doors unlocked so you can get back in quickly.

Directions in Maps · Public sources, not yet visited

Times are typical, from the centre of Churchill by road or path rather than in a straight line, and winter conditions can make them longer. Walking times don’t mean a route is lit or safe on foot in winter; check each spot’s notes.

Clear dark nights by month

  • 41% Jan
  • 44% Feb
  • 41% Mar
  • 34% Apr
  • 20% May
  • – Jun
  • 31% Jul
  • 28% Aug
  • 24% Sep
  • 19% Oct
  • 19% Nov
  • 36% Dec

The share of nights with at least two dark hours under 30% cloud cover, averaged by month over 2016–2025. It describes cloud, not aurora: a clear night still needs activity. A dash means no record for that month, usually because it doesn’t get dark. About this record

Questions

When is the best time to see the northern lights in Churchill?

In the dark months. Over 2016–2025, a clear spell after dark was likeliest in February and January, on about 44% of nights. That record is about cloud only: on any one night, the cloud and the activity forecast matter more than the season, so check on the day.

Where can you see the northern lights near Churchill?

This page lists 1 viewing spot near Churchill; the darkest is Town beach inukshuk (2 min drive). Each has how to get there, parking, winter access and safety notes. Little Aurora picks the best one each night from cloud and darkness.

Aurora data from NOAA and GFZ. Cloud forecasts from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). Places and travel times from OpenStreetMap contributors. Usual cloud from Copernicus ERA5 and weather-station records from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet, SMHI and the Icelandic Met Office. Forecasts are never guaranteed; conditions can change quickly. How the forecast works