What Are the Best Conditions to See Northern Lights?
The northern lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are a phenomenon of shifting colorful lights dancing above the northern hemisphere of the Earth. Watching the northern lights is an awe-inspiring experience and one that is incredibly sought-after by tourists. To get the best view, it’s important to consider the conditions when deciding when and where to go to increase your chances of seeing the northern lights.
Location
Northern lights generally appear in the night sky above the Arctic Circle, mostly in Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. Viewing can also occur a bit farther south, so if you’re not able to get to the Arctic Circle, you can still get a glimpse of the lights. The farther away from the equator you are, the better your chances of seeing the northern lights. To increase your chances of seeing the northern lights, some of the best places to view them are in northern Norway, Iceland, and even parts of Finland, or Lapland.
Time of Year
The northern lights can be seen from late August to April in the northern hemisphere, with the best viewing time occurring during the equinoxes, which are the periods in September and March. December is the darkest month of the year and has a higher chance of clear skies – providing opportunity to view the northern lights. During the winter, there are also additional hours of darkness for extended viewing times.
Weather – sky to see northern light
Since the northern lights are in the sky, the weather plays an important role in viewing them. To get a clear view of the lights, it’s important to choose a night with a clear sky and very little light pollution. Areas with a lot of light pollution will give you a harder time viewing the northern lights. You should also keep an eye on the forecast for northern lights activity in order to schedule your viewing.
- Choose a location that is as far away from the equator as possible
- View the northern lights between late August and April
- Choose a night with clear skies and no light pollution
The northern lights are truly a sight to behold and if you plan correctly, you can be sure that you will get the best view of this incredible natural light show. With these tips in mind, you can easily choose the best conditions for seeing the northern lights.