Best month to see the northern lights in Iqaluit

Month-by-month viewing quality

Why these months?

Two things decide your odds in Iqaluit: darkness and activity. You need real darkness — so the bright midnight-sun months are out no matter how strong the aurora is. On top of that, geomagnetic storms run statistically stronger around the spring and autumn equinoxes (the Russell–McPherron effect), which is why September and October and November and March tend to edge out the dead of winter. Iqaluit's season runs late august to april.

Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut on Baffin Island, sits at very high geomagnetic latitude — the oval is often overhead, and the Arctic air is bitterly clear.

Where to stand in Iqaluit

Anywhere outside the small city; the road toward Apex and the bay shoreline give open dark horizons.

Tours & stays to book