Moderate Activity 🌒 12% Updated live

Aurora Forecast for
Vancouver Tonight

Current northern lights conditions for Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Latitude 49.3°N · AACGM-v2 magnetic latitude 53.9°N.

Quick Summary: The estimated northern lights outlook for Vancouver peaks at 0% over the next 24 hours. No suitable viewing window.

Aurora forecast

0%

Estimated

Highest estimate · next 24 hours

Viewing window

No suitable viewing window

America/Vancouver

Kp index

3.33

Moderate

Planetary geomagnetic activity

Cloud cover

34%

Partly cloudy

Current sky visibility

Aurora

Tonight's Verdict

Low aurora probability in Vancouver tonight. Check back tomorrow for updated conditions.

Hourly Forecast · Estimated

19
19:00 — 0%
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01
01:00 — 0%
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06:00 — 0%
07
07:00 — 0%
08:00 — 0%
09:00 — 0%
10:00 — 0%
11:00 — 0%
12:00 — 0%
13
13:00 — 0%
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15:00 — 0%
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17:00 — 0%
18:00 — 0%
19:00 UTC01:00 UTC07:00 UTC13:00 UTC18:00 UTC
Time (UTC)Estimated (%)
2026-10-14T19:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-14T20:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-14T21:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-14T22:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-14T23:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-15T00:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-15T01:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-15T02:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-15T03:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-15T04:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-15T05:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-15T06:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-15T07:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-15T08:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-15T09:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-15T10:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-15T11:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-15T12:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-15T13:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-15T14:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-15T15:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-15T16:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-15T17:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-15T18:00:00.000Z0%
How to read this forecast

The next 24 hours use calculated local darkness and a retained aurora activity heuristic. They are not a measured or statistically calibrated chance of seeing aurora. Aggregate cloud cover is held constant unless a timed weather forecast is available.

Generated 2026-10-14T18:20:01.839Z. Kp: fresh · observation 2026-10-14T18:00:00.000Z. Cloud: fresh · cache refresh 2026-10-14T16:20:57.52+00:00. Overall model: estimated.

Window: No suitable viewing window. A dash marks a missing input; zero means the model found no visibility under the supplied conditions.

27-Day Forecast

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Oct 15

Kp Index •••
Probability •••
Cloud Cover •••

Oct 16

Kp Index •••
Probability •••
Cloud Cover •••

Oct 17

Kp Index •••
Probability •••
Cloud Cover •••

About Aurora Viewing in Vancouver

Vancouver, Canada, is at 49.3°N. Aurora visibility depends on local conditions as well as geomagnetic activity. Its verified magnetic latitude is 53.9°N; Kp 5–7 is an approximate screening range, not a visibility probability. Even favourable activity can be hidden by clouds or daylight. Find a dark, open northern horizon and check the sky before travelling.

Follow forecasts, cloud maps and aurora alerts for Vancouver in Aurora Hunt, then confirm darkness, local cloud and access before going outside.

Local viewing decision

Should You Look for the Northern Lights in Vancouver Tonight?

Vancouver is a storm-dependent aurora city. The live Kp value above is currently 3.33, while local cloud cover is 34%. Treat those readings as a go/no-go screen, not a sighting promise.

Kp: 3.33 · Fresh
Observed: 2026-10-14 18:00:00 UTC

Cloud: 34% · Fresh
Cache refreshed: 2026-10-14 16:20:57.520Z

Your view of the sky

City glow, coastal cloud and the Coast Mountains can hide a weak display. A clear, dark northern horizon matters more than driving to a famous viewpoint, and faint colour may appear on a camera before it is obvious to your eyes.

Before you head out

Check the trend again before leaving, avoid restricted or unlit access routes, and keep the trip short when cloud is increasing. Confirm road conditions with DriveBC rather than relying on social posts.

Tonight’s viewing checklist
  • Compare the Kp trend with the approximate local threshold near Kp 5–7.
  • Prefer low cloud cover; the current reading is 34%.
  • Find a safe view toward the dark northern horizon, away from Vancouver's light dome.
  • Use a short camera exposure to verify a faint arc, but do not mistake illuminated cloud for aurora.
DriveBC road conditions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you see aurora in Vancouver tonight?
Aurora visibility in Vancouver depends on geomagnetic activity (Kp index), cloud cover, and darkness. At 49.3°N latitude, Vancouver typically needs a Kp index of 5–7 for visible aurora. Check the real-time forecast above for tonight's conditions.
What time is best to see northern lights in Vancouver?
The best time to see aurora in Vancouver is typically between 10 PM and 2 AM local time, when skies are darkest. Aurora can appear any time after astronomical twilight, but peak activity usually occurs around local midnight.
Where to watch aurora in Vancouver?
For the best aurora viewing in Vancouver, find a location away from city light pollution with a clear view to the north. Dark areas outside the city center, elevated viewpoints, and spots near water are ideal. Check cloud cover before heading out.
What Kp index is needed to see aurora in Vancouver?
Vancouver is at 49.3°N latitude and typically requires a Kp index of 5–7 for visible aurora. Higher Kp values mean stronger geomagnetic storms and better aurora visibility, even at lower latitudes.
Is Vancouver, Canada a good place to see northern lights?
Vancouver can see aurora during strong geomagnetic storms. Located at 49.3°N, aurora is visible when Kp index reaches 5–7 or higher.

Nearby Aurora Destinations

South Cambie

49.3°N View →

Shaughnessy

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Fairview

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South Granville

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Mt Pleasant

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Oakridge

49.2°N View →

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