The Northern Lights: Best Months to See the Show

The Northern Lights: Best Months to See the Show

Have you ever wanted to experience something so beautiful and magical that words couldn't describe it? If so, then the Northern Lights are for you. This spectacular light show is one of nature's greatest displays and is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

But the question is, when is the best time to see them? The Northern Lights are present in our atmosphere all year round, but the best months to see this celestial performance are between September and April. During this time, you will have more chances of seeing them in the sky due to longer nights. To see the Northern Lights you need to have good conditions which also require darkness-the darker the better.

In this article, we'll talk about what months are the best for viewing the Northern Lights and why it's important to know when they are most active. We'll also discuss some other tips and tricks that can help give you an unforgettable experience with Aurora Borealis.

How to Increase Your Chances of Seeing the Northern Lights?

Did you know that over 80% of tourists miss the Northern Lights due to the lack of Aurora knowledge? Don't let that be you! The right time and the right place are the key. Northern Lights Online Course and Aurora mobile app designed for beginners will significantly increase your chances.

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Mobile App

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Best Months to Watch the Northern Lights

The Northern Lights are one of the most awe-inspiring sights in the world, but they aren't on view year-round. To maximize your chances of seeing them, you should visit during the months when they're most likely to be visible—which is usually between September and April.

The best months to visit depend on where you are. If you're further south, then the lights may be visible from September to April. If you're further north, you may only be able to see them from October through March. You might even catch a glimpse as late as April in certain parts of Scandinavia.

No matter when you go, it's important to check the forecast ahead of time and watch out for clear skies when planning your trip. Cloudy conditions can severely limit your chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis, so it pays off to be patient and wait for a night with clear skies and find a place with low light pollution if possible.

what is the best month to see the northern lights

December, January and February: The Peak Months

If you're planning a Northern Lights getaway, December, January, and February are the peak months to see them. During these months, you can expect to witness the vibrant colors of greens, purples and blues dancing in the sky. This is due to the fact that during these months, the nights stretch for a long time which increases your chances to see them.

In terms of location, Norway is known as one of the best places in Europe to see the Northern Lights as its vast open landscapes offer direct views of them. The lower parts like Oslo can experience clear skies most days in December and January while further north parts like Tromso provide better views throughout winter. Whichever part you visit remember that winter offers longer nights with fewer hours of light which gives higher chances of catching a glimpse at these wonders.

What Affects the Visibility of the Northern Lights?

When you are planning the perfect trip to chase the Northern Lights, it helps to know what affects their visibility. So here's the scoop:

Aurora Activity

The brilliant Aurora Borealis is caused by solar particles, which enter our atmosphere and collide with atoms in the air, emitting a beautiful light display of blues, greens, yellows and sometimes even reds. The intensity of these collisions determines how active the Aurora is on any given night. Unfortunately, this activity can be completely unpredictable. It's like a game of chance – you never know when Lady Luck will be headed your way!

best time of the year to see aurora borealis

Cloud Cover

Another factor is cloud cover; while dark skies are ideal for seeing the Northern Lights in all their glory, clouds can obscure them. Monitoring cloud cover in real-time is a great way to increase your chances of getting lucky. Check the local forecast to gain insight into the local weather patterns and plan smartly!

Location

Finally, location is key when it comes to sighting the Northern Lights. Depending on where you are positioned around or under the Auroral Oval – an imaginary dome shape around the North Pole – your viewing opportunities may vary significantly. Make sure you do your research before heading out!

Can you see the Northern Lights during the summer?

You might be wondering, can I see the Northern Lights during the summer months? Unfortunately, no-It just doesn't get dark due to the midnight sun and without darkness can't be visible the Northern Lights. You're out of luck if you're hoping to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights during the summer months!

But don't worry—while you won't be able to see the stunning green and purple lights during May, June, July and August, you can plan your trip to catch them in the cooler months.

Winter Months

Mid of September to mid-April is typically when the show can be visible—this is when you'll rank the greatest chance of seeing them. The winter months are prime time for witnessing these majestic wonders, plus with fewer hours of daylight, it's easier for them to appear.

Springtime

The early autumn and late spring months are also great times for viewing. September and March provide unique opportunities for seeing them. So if you want warmer conditions but want to see the Northern Lights at the same time then this could be perfect for you!

By planning your trip accordingly, and taking into consideration the best time frames to view them, you'll have no problem finishing up with a very successful viewing experience!

Why are September and March the best months to see the Northern Lights?

If you're wondering why September and March are the best months to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, there are quite a few reasons.

Time of Day

First and foremost, the fact that it's dark when the sun sets in September and March helps significantly. This is because the Northern Lights are most visible at night — although you can sometimes spot them at twilight — so the darker the sky is, the better your chances of witnessing those elusive colorful sky lights.

Cloud Cover

Another factor playing in our favor is that during September and March there is less cloud cover. In fact, this is typically one of the clearest times each year across Alaska and other popular Northern Lights viewing spots like Iceland.

Less People

The time also helps with avoiding crowds — as with any popular destination right now, many places frequented by Aurora-chasers have had to reduce visitor numbers to comply with social distancing regulations and other safety measures. So if you're looking for an empty stage to watch Mother Nature's best show without interruption, planning ahead for a trip during September or March will definitely make it easier (and possibly cheaper) to find an ideal spot away from potential crowds.

Northern Lights Online Tools: Chasing Aurora Like a Pro

The most useful Northern Lights online tools for a successful Aurora hunt. Are you about to hunt the Northern Lights on your own? Then you will find these resources helpful. If you are trying to see Aurora for the first time we recommend signing up for the Northern Lights Online Course where is explained step-by-step all you need to know to see the Northern Lights in an easy way.

Northern Lights essential online tools designed for beginners to help you see Aurora like the handy Aurora Mobile App and Northern Lights Online Course will help you to understand how Aurora works and to monitor real-time activity.
The Northern Lights Forecast for 3 days and long-term Aurora forecast for up to 27 days ahead can be found here: Geophysical Institute Forecast, NOAA Aurora Forecast, Spaceweatherlive Forecast or in the Northern Lights App.
Find the best Aurora spots with the light pollution map and cloud cover prediction.
Northern Lights activity in real-time: Real-time Aurora activity (worldwide magnetometers), Solar Wind activity, Sun's activity, Aurora live Boreal webcams list or Aurora App.
Additional resources to know when it will be dark enough Darkness graph & Map and how much the moon will illuminate the sky Moon Phase + Moonrise & Moonset.
If you decide to go with professional Aurora hunters here you can find the top-rated Aurora Tours.

Conclusion

In conclusion, tracking down the Northern Lights is an incredible experience that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. While the best months to see the show vary by location, the basic requirements remain the same. Anywhere in the northern hemisphere, the Northern Lights are typically visible from late September to late March, with the optimal months being October, November, December, January, February and March.

With a bit of luck, some preparation and the right timing, you’ll be well on your way to a magical, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Bundle up and get ready to catch the spectacular show of the Northern Lights!

There is more what you still need to know about the Northern Lights - Learn more in an easy way

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