Northern Lights Tonight in Edmonton, Alberta

Edmonton is one of the best big cities in North America for aurora. The threshold of 3.2 is low enough that moderate activity shows up as a visible band in the north, and about 140 nights a year reach it in darkness. Winters are long and cold, with dry air and many clear nights.

The North Saskatchewan River valley cuts through the middle of town, and its parks give you dark, tree-lined corners with a view of the sky. Even so, the city is large and the glow from the west end, the refinery area to the east and the northern suburbs lifts the horizon in every direction. From inside the ring road you will catch strong displays but miss weaker ones.

Edmontonians who chase the lights drive east to the Beaver Hills, where Elk Island National Park sits in a recognized dark-sky preserve. Others go north on Highway 2 or 63 into farm country with long flat horizons. Whichever way you go, aim for a spot where the road does not point north toward a town, turn off your headlights, and give your eyes twenty minutes. Cold nights can drop well below what you expect, so bring more clothing than you think you need.