Northern Lights Tonight in Ottawa, Ontario

Ottawa sits in the middle of the pack for aurora in Canada. The threshold of 4.8 means a moderate to strong storm, and in a typical winter that gives you a few chances. The capital is cold and often clear after a front passes, but snow squalls and long gray spells can close the sky for days.

The city's own light is the main limit. The downtown core and the suburbs of Kanata and Orleans spread a glow across the valley floor, and the Gatineau Hills across the Ottawa River add a ridge to the north. The ridge can cut the low part of the view from the city side. You can often catch a strong display from the Greenbelt farmland on the edge of town if you face away from the downtown towers.

Locals who want a real dark sky head west and south-west toward North Frontenac, where the valley turns to forest and lakes. Others go north into Gatineau Park, across the river. Check for cloud first, then drive. A short trip beyond the suburbs is enough on a strong night; a bigger drive pays off on a moderate one.