

You can only see the aurora borealis in the Northern Hemisphere, whereas the aurora australis is visible in the Southern Hemisphere. The northern lights are a natural phenomenon that you can witness at far northerly latitudes. The aurora borealis is unpredictable so even if you search for them during the solar maximum, sightings are not guaranteed. That said, geomagnetic storms can occur at any time, so you can still see the northern lights during the solar minimum stage. When the sun experiences its solar maximum, that means that solar activity is high and more charged particles are released. Some believe that certain periods of the 11-year solar cycle provide a better chance of seeing the aurora light up the sky. Essentially there is no “best year” to hunt for them.

You can spot the northern lights any year. Is there a “best year” to see the northern lights? Enjoy winter in Northern Norway or Svalbard.Plus, winter is a quieter travel season compared to summer, so visit between October and April for fewer crowds at the top attractions. In Iceland you can walk through natural ice caves or see dramatic landscapes glittering with frost. You could even stay in a Nordic ice hotel! As well as getting the opportunity to hunt for the lights, you can also enjoy activities in the snow like dog sledding or snowmobiling. Winter in the Nordics is a magical time of year for so many other reasons.

The more hours of darkness then the more chances you have of seeing the aurora borealis. In fact, in some regions in the far north, the sun doesn’t rise at all – a phenomenon called the “polar night”. Winter in Northern Europe brings long, dark nights, particularly between December and February. You need darkness to be able to spot the colours of the aurora borealis, as they are harder to see in daylight. This is because the night sky is darker in winter and there are fewer daylight hours. You are more likely to see the northern lights in winter, between the months of October and April.

Additionally, many hotels offer aurora wake-up calls should the lights show up in the middle of the night. That’s why northern lights tours take place in the evening. The darker the sky, the easier it is to discern the aurora’s colours dancing above you. The best time of day to view the northern lightsĪs dark skies are one of the key factors for spotting the northern lights, the best time of day to look for them is at night. That’s why you need to plan your northern lights tour ahead to give you the best chances of catching them. You can only see the aurora borealis at certain times of the year when conditions are right. Unfortunately, the northern lights don’t show up on demand. Plan your aurora adventure with these northern lights tours If aurora borealis sightings are on your bucket list, read on to discover the best times and places to see the northern lights. You also need to know when and where to see auroras for your best chances of witnessing them on a northern lights tour package. To catch them, you need three key ingredients combining at once: dark skies, solar activity, and clear weather. Of course, we know that the northern lights are all down to science, not sorcery. Who could blame them? This dazzling spectacle does indeed look like something out of this world! The Vikings believed the shimmering aurora were reflections of the shining shields and armour of the gods. The northern lights are a naturally occurring phenomenon that bewitch you with their magic.
