Winnipeg sits on the flat Canadian Prairie, where light pollution drops away dramatically just outside the city — Bortle 3 skies are reachable within 30–40 minutes in any direction. The flat terrain gives unobstructed horizons ideal for aurora, and at 49.9°N Winnipeg sees frequent displays during Kp 4+ storms. The Aurora-famous town of Churchill lies far to the north, but Winnipeg itself offers excellent prairie dark skies. The cold, dry continental winters bring long nights and exceptional transparency, with summer delivering the high Milky Way over open fields.