Aurora Borealis Forecasting App Developed in Yukon

A team of developers in the Yukon has released a mobile app that provides real-time forecasts and visibility alerts for Northern Lights enthusiasts.

2025-06-23 20:12

By By Robert Clark, True North Journal

Tech developers in Whitehorse, Yukon, have released a mobile app that forecasts visibility of the aurora borealis, helping tourists and locals alike catch the Northern Lights in real time. The app, called BorealView, has already been downloaded more than 50,000 times since its soft launch last month.

Using data from geomagnetic observatories and NOAA satellites, the app combines weather patterns with magnetic activity to deliver highly accurate predictions up to three days in advance. Users receive push notifications when auroral activity spikes in their area.

What sets BorealView apart from similar tools is its integration with local sky cameras and user reports. “People can check not only whether the aurora is likely—but whether anyone has already seen it nearby,” explained developer Maya Singh.

The app also features educational content explaining the science behind the auroras and their cultural significance to Indigenous communities in the North. The developers worked with elders from the Kwanlin Dün First Nation to ensure respectful and accurate representation.

Local businesses, including tour guides and lodges, have welcomed the app’s launch. Some now offer discounts through the app when aurora conditions are ideal.

BorealView is currently free to download and is available in both English and French. The team is considering adding support for Inuktitut in a future update.