Best Times To Witness The Northern Lights

The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are a spectacular natural light show visible at certain times of the year in the Arctic Circle. The best time to see them is between late September and late March, when the long nights provide ample aurora-viewing opportunities. The lights are caused by solar winds carrying electrically charged particles that penetrate Earth's magnetic shield and collide with atmospheric gases. The best places to see them are in high northern latitudes in Alaska, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Russia.

The best time of year to see the Northern Lights

The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are caused by solar winds carrying electrically charged particles that penetrate Earth's magnetic shield and collide with atmospheric gases. They usually occur between 60 and 75 degrees of latitude, which covers northern parts of Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Alaska, Russia, as well as all of Iceland.

November through to February offer the darkest skies and longer evenings for maximum sky-gazing. The equinoxes in spring and autumn also provide more stable weather conditions and milder temperatures, as well as increased aurora activity.

When planning a trip to see the northern lights, it is recommended to stay for at least three nights to increase your chances of clear skies. It is also important to be flexible and mobile, as you may need to travel to find a break in the cloud cover.

While there are no guarantees that you will see the northern lights, understanding the factors that contribute to their appearance and choosing a location with optimal conditions can greatly improve your chances of witnessing this spectacular natural phenomenon.

The best time of day to see the Northern Lights

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are best viewed when three conditions are met: you are in a location under the auroral oval, it is dark, and the sky is clear.

The auroral oval is a band that typically crosses through Alaska, northern Canada, southern Greenland, Iceland, and northern Norway. The lights are more likely to be visible in these locations, though they can also be seen at lower latitudes. The lights are caused by solar winds colliding with gases in Earth's atmosphere, and this process is more visible in the auroral zone.

To maximise your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, plan your trip for when the nights are longest and darkest, between late September and late March. The spring and autumn equinoxes in March and September also offer greater aurora activity, so this is an ideal time to plan your trip.

To summarise, the best time of day to see the Northern Lights is between 9 pm and 2 am, especially between 11 pm and midnight. However, the lights can appear at any time, so it is worth staying vigilant if you are in the right location. Plan your trip for between late September and late March, with March to April being the optimal time, to make the most of the longer, darker nights.

The best locations to see the Northern Lights

The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are a spectacular natural light show visible at certain times of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. They occur when electrically charged particles from the sun collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere, creating vibrant streaks of blue, green, pink and violet dancing across the night sky.

The best places to see the aurora borealis have little light pollution, clear skies and no precipitation. The lights are only visible at northern latitudes when it's dark outside, so the months from September to April are best for seeing the aurora.

Fairbanks, Alaska

Fairbanks is one of the best places in the world to view the northern lights, as it's located directly under the auroral oval, a ring-shaped zone associated with the most vibrant aurora sightings. Visitors can expect to see the lights on four out of five clear nights during aurora season, which lasts from late August to late April.

Tromsø, Norway

Located about 220 miles above the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is one of several top spots to view the northern lights in Norway. At the darkest point of the aurora season, which runs from September to early April, the sun doesn't rise in this northern part of the country, providing more opportunities to see the aurora.

Luosto and Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland

Lapland is located within the Arctic Circle in the northernmost part of Finland. The northern lights are most visible here between the end of August and April, so there are many opportunities for aurora spotting. Finnish Lapland is also known as the home of the Sámi people, some 200,000 reindeer and Santa Claus, who can be visited in Rovaniemi.

Orkney, Scotland

This group of captivating (and mostly uninhabited) islands, located about 10 miles off Scotland's remote northern coast, is one of the best places to see the northern lights in the U.K. Fall and winter are the best seasons to witness the aurora, also known locally as the "Mirrie Dancers," as fall brings the highest proportion of clear nights.

Yellowknife, Canada

Yellowknife, the capital of Canada's Northwest Territories, calls itself the "Aurora Capital of the World." Thanks to its position in the middle of the auroral oval, the city puts on one of the world's most awe-inspiring light shows. The period from mid-November to early April is the recommended time to spot the aurora, but it's also possible to see them during more hospitable weather from late summer to early fall.

Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

The optimal time for seeing the illuminated skies in the northern part of Sweden, known as Swedish Lapland, is between early September and late March. The small Swedish village of Jukkasjärvi sits around 125 miles above the Arctic Circle on the Torne River and is an ideal locale for aurora viewing.

Reykjavik, Iceland

October through March is the best time to chase the aurora borealis in Iceland. There are numerous natural parks and attractions throughout the country where you can view the show during the long and dark winter. The capital city of Reykjavik also offers many options for accommodations, restaurants, tours and other activities for your visit.

Abisko National Park, Sweden

Given its Arctic location, Sweden is one of the prime spots for aurora viewing in the Northern Hemisphere, with Swedish Lapland at the top of the list. The fall and winter months (from September to March) offer the best opportunities to witness the spectacle, as there is more darkness than light during the days.

Nellim, Finland

Located a stone's throw from the Russian border in Finnish Lapland, this remote Arctic destination is a top-rated locale to view the northern lights due to the lack of light pollution. The best time to visit is between December and early April.

How to increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights

Seeing the Northern Lights is on many people's bucket lists, but it can be tricky to catch a glimpse of this natural light show. Here are some tips to increase your chances of witnessing the aurora borealis:

Timing is Everything

The Northern Lights are visible at certain times of the year, so plan your trip accordingly. The lights typically appear between late September and late March, with October and March being the two potential sweet spots. The equinoxes in spring and autumn are also good times to see the lights, as there is greater aurora activity during these periods. Time your visit for a new moon, as moonlight can reduce the intensity of the displays.

Location, Location, Location

The Northern Lights usually occur within the geographic area beneath the auroral oval, which encompasses northern parts of Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Alaska, Russia, and all of Iceland. However, the lights can also appear at lower latitudes during particularly strong solar storms. Northern Scandinavia and Iceland are the most accessible destinations from the UK and offer good chances of sightings.

When choosing a specific location, opt for rural areas away from artificial light pollution. Alta in Norway is a good choice, as it is located right under the auroral oval and has warmer daytime temperatures. Abisko in northern Sweden is another popular spot, as it has very little light pollution and a low risk of clouds.

Be Prepared

There are no guarantees when it comes to seeing the Northern Lights, so be prepared to persevere. Build extra time into your itinerary to account for unpredictable weather. Ideally, spend at least three nights in one place to maximise your chances. Be prepared to stay up late, as the best viewing usually occurs between 9 pm and 2 am, with the optimal time between 11 pm and midnight.

Stay Informed

Keep up to date with aurora forecasts, which are typically given for a three-day period. Websites such as SpaceWeatherLive and Aurora Forecast provide short-term and long-term forecasts. Monitoring solar eruptions can also help predict when the lights will appear. There are also apps available, such as Aurora Now, which sends alerts about aurora activity.

Be Flexible

If you're willing to be flexible and mobile during your trip, you can increase your chances of seeing the lights. In places like Tromsø in Norway, you can drive around each night to find a break in the cloud cover. Northern lights tours are also a good option, as they will take you to different locations to find clear skies.

Daytime Diversions

Finally, remember that there are no guarantees when it comes to nature. Even if you don't see the Northern Lights, you can still have a memorable vacation by choosing a location that offers interesting daytime activities and diversions. That way, you can enjoy your trip, lights or no lights!

What to do if you don't see the Northern Lights

The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are a result of solar activity interacting with the earth's magnetic field and atmosphere. They are typically visible in the Northern Hemisphere between late August/September to mid-April, preferably under clear, cloudless skies. The best time to view them is between 9 pm and 2 am, with the most frequent colour being green, caused by oxygen at around 100 km high.

If you don't get to see the northern lights, there are a few things to remember and several options to try:

• Firstly, it's important to pick a destination that you want to visit, with activities and excursions that will create lasting memories, regardless of whether or not the lights appear. That way, even if you don't see the aurora borealis, you will still have a trip filled with unique and enjoyable experiences.
• Secondly, increase your chances of seeing the lights by visiting prime locations. For example, the Aurora Sky Station in Abisko National Park, Sweden, had an 80.5% chance of witnessing the northern lights in January 2014. Northern Scandinavia and Iceland also offer accessible destinations for viewing the lights.
• Thirdly, follow aurora forecasts and alerts to maximise your chances of catching a display. Websites like Space Weather Prediction Centre and SpaceWeatherLive provide useful short and long-term forecasts.
• Finally, if you miss the lights due to being "otherwise engaged", as the author of the blog "What to do if you don't see the Northern Lights" puts it, remember that you are still in an incredible location, doing things that your friends and family back home can only dream of!

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