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Northern lights finland

Top 10 FAQs About the Northern Lights of Finland Answered

Picture this: a night sky alight in mysterious, vibrant colors. That's the natural wonder of the Northern Lights. As breathtaking as they are, they're not always easy to access or photograph. But have no fear! Here, I’ll answer some of the most common questions about this phenomenon - from when to see them, to how to photograph them, and much more.

Finland is one of the best places in the world to witness the Northern Lights! Just how likely you are to see them depends on several factors - from seasonality to weather conditions. Read on for answers to your most burning questions about seeing the Aurora Borealis in Finland.

How to Increase Your Chances of Seeing the Northern Lights?

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northern lights in finland

1. Can I See the Aurora Borealis in Finland? Yes, Finland Is One of the Best Places to View the Northern Lights

Yes, Finland is one of the best spots in the world to see the Northern Lights. It's well-known for its clear winter skies, wide-open spaces, and lack of light pollution - all factors that contribute to optimal viewing conditions. But it's also because you can see the Aurora Borealis further south here than you can anywhere else - as low as 65 degrees latitude - meaning you don't have to be up in the Arctic Circle to take in the view. The lights are easily visible from late August through April, making Finland a great destination if you're looking for an Aurora Borealis experience.
northern lights of finland

2. Where Can I See Aurora? The Top 5 Spots to See the Northern Lights of Finland

If you're looking for a place to take in the stunning beauty of the Aurora Borealis, Finland is a great option. With its prime location in the center of the Northern Lights viewing zone, there are plenty of opportunities for people to take in this sight.

So, where should you go to see the Aurora? Fortunately, we've narrowed down your choices to five of the best places to see the Northern Lights across Finland:

-The Autiosaari Wilderness Reserve near Utsjoki is known for having some of the darkest skies and has virtually no light pollution due to its remote location.
-The Inari region located in northern Finland is also a great spot for sighting due to its low population density.
-The Ivalo area up north near Lapland has plenty of wide open spaces where you can take in an unobstructed view of the Auroras.
-Kemi in northern Finland is situated on the Gulf of Bothnian Sea and has some lovely views from various vantage points around town.
-Utsjoki Village offer a great chance to see Aurora from the most northern part of Finland. The combination of low light pollution and breathtaking views set you up for a perfect chance to enjoy the Northern Lights in their full glory.
Whichever spot you choose, make sure you come prepared with warm clothing and give yourself at least two hours to enjoy looking up at this natural phenomenon!
the northern lights finland

3. What Months are the Best to See the Northern Lights in Finland?

Wondering what months are the best to see Aurora in Finland? Well, it all depends on the time of year and the weather.

Winter months
The winter months from September through April are generally the best for viewing the Northern Lights in Finland. The nights are longer, meaning there’s more darkness for the Aurora to appear in. The temperatures during winter typically range from -5°C to -30°C, so make sure you bundle up before you head out!
the northern lights finland
Springtime
As spring approaches, from March through May, although temperatures begin to rise and days get longer, it can still be a great time of year to view the Aurora, especially from March to mid-April. It can be quite unpredictable depending on where you are in Finland, so if you're planning a trip for this time of year do your research beforehand.

Summertime
After summer arrives, from June through August, the days get even longer and temperatures rise significantly - so much so that seeing the Northern Lights is quite rare. If you're heading out during this time of year just note that your chances may be slimmer than other times of year. These months are very popular though - the long days do offer more daylight hours for sightseeing activities!
finland northern lights

4. What is the Best Time to See the Aurora Borealis in Finland?

If you're wondering when the best time to see the Northern Lights in Finland is, the answer is simple - it's when it's dark and clear. Generally speaking, autumn and winter are usually good periods of time to spot the Aurora Borealis in Finland, since there’s less natural light throughout the night.

It’s also important to note that if you’re looking for a certain “color hour” perfect for enjoying a Northern Lights show - usually seen between 10 PM and 2 AM - you should plan your trip during the months of October to March. During these months, the sky stays dark enough for you to notice more vibrant colors during its various hues.

And if you want another tip on when it's best to see the Aurora Borealis - just look up! The clearest skies are usually around the new moon, as it gives you some of the best views of this natural phenomenon. So if you want all-out Northern Lights action, make sure to plan your trip around both a dark night and a new moon phase!
northern lights in finland

5. Not Always Green: The Colors of the Northern Lights and What Causes Those Lights?

You might think that the Northern Lights are just green, but they can actually show up in other colors too. From purple to pink, to blue to even yellow – these lights have a way of dazzling you as if you’re seeing a rainbow in the sky!

So what causes these mesmerizing colors?

Well, it’s all down to the particles that come from the Sun and are caught up in Earth's magnetic field. The green lights you mostly see come from oxygen molecules and ions way up in Earth's thermosphere. But when you look closer up towards the mesosphere that's about 80 kilometers above us, nitrogen is what causes those pinkish purples or even red hues.

If that weren't enough, there's even a special type of light called 'STEVE' (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement) which looks like a white or purple ribbon in the sky and is sometimes accompanied by green curtains. It was only discovered about 10 years ago and is thought to be caused by something else linking Earth's magnetic field with the ionosphere.

The chance of seeing different colors makes catching the Northern Lights an ever-exciting experience that you'll never forget!
Northern lights finland

6. What Causes the Stunning Northern Lights? A Scientific Explanation

Have you ever wondered what causes the Northern Lights in Finland? It's pretty amazing that a natural phenomenon like this can be enjoyed with the naked eye - but why does it happen?

The Northern Lights occur due to a continuous cycle of particles from the Sun interacting with particles in Earth's atmosphere. These solar particles, known as the solar wind, pass through Earth's magnetic field and react with them. The reaction creates an array of intense colors, ranging from yellow and orange, to red and green. The intensity of the colors depends on how close you are to one of the North or South Poles.

The colors that make up the Northern Lights glowing in the sky are:
  1. Red: produced by nitrogen atoms, typically located in higher regions of our atmosphere
  2. Green: produced by oxygen atoms found about 60-200 miles up
  3. Blue, purple and pink: caused by ionized nitrogen molecules
  4. White/silver: produced by high-energy electrons hitting air molecules
By understanding how it all works, you can now appreciate this stunning natural phenomenon even more!
northern lights of finland

7. How to Photograph the Magical Northern Lights of Finland

If you're looking to immortalize your Northern Lights experience in Finland, a camera is essential in capturing the magical moments. To help you snap the perfect picture of the Aurora Borealis, here are a few helpful recommendations:

Cameras and Accessories
The trick to photographing the Aurora is using a DSLR camera (or a mirrorless one) equipped with an ultrawide-angle lens. The wider field of view better captures the lights, and allows you to capture more sky. If you want to try some night photography, then investing in a tripod will be worth it; tripods allow for slow shutter speed shots and special effects like star trails without blurriness.

Setting up Your Camera
When you set up your camera for photographing the Northern Lights, go into your settings and turn off auto-focus, as it won’t work in low light conditions. Set your ISO to 800 or 1600 - if you take pictures at ISO levels higher than that they will be grainy - and set your shutter speed shorter than 15 seconds for best results.

Since there's no way to accurately predict when or where Aurora will appear, make sure you take plenty of pictures so that chances are high that at least one shot will turn out good! With just a few adjustments on your DSLR camera you can be sure to capture beautiful photos of the mesmerizing northern lights of Finland!
finland northern lights

8. Is Seeing the Northern Lights in Finland Guaranteed?

You may be wondering if you can guarantee a Northern Lights viewing when you visit Finland. The unfortunate answer to this is no, seeing the Northern Lights isn't guaranteed.

The Aurora Borealis depends on several different factors, all which have to come together for it to be visible in the sky. To increase your chances of having an awesome light show, here's what you should know:

Solar activity
Solar activity is the main factor when it comes to experiencing the Northern Lights in Finland. If solar activity is low, Aurora activity is low; if solar activity is high, Aurora activity might be high - but even when solar activity is low, sightings can still occur.
finland northern lights
Weather conditions
A clear sky and dark environment are important factors for seeing the Northern Lights in Finland - clouds and twilight may cause visibility issues. The best time for viewing Aurora is usually after midnight and just before dawn. Make sure to check out weather forecasts during your stay!

Location
When watching for Aurora, location plays a big part - the further away from cities and urban areas, the better! Places like Sompasauna near Levi or Pyhä-Luosto National Park near Nurmes are two of the best places for watching the Northern Lights in Finland. The closer you are to the Arctic Circle the higher your chances of seeing the Northern Lights.
the northern lights finland

9. Why see the Northern Lights?

You might be wondering why it's worth it to see and enjoy the Northern Lights in Finland. After all, if you can't guarantee you're going to see them, why would you go all the way out there? Well, here are a few reasons why we think it's worth the trip:

Natural wonder
The Northern Lights are truly a natural wonder - and they're one that won't leave you as blasé as another beach visit. Not to mention that they're relatively accessible compared to other natural wonders like the Grand Canyon. You don't even have to go far - it's easy enough to access Helsinki and Lapland from pretty much any part of Europe.
Spirituality
One of the bucket list items for many people is to experience something spiritual, and seeing the Northern Lights can definitely bring about that feeling. While everyone will interpret their experience differently, getting a glimpse of Auroras dancing in the night sky is sure to leave an impression on anyone who sees them.

Perfectly Romantic
If you're looking for a romantic getaway with your partner, seeing the Northern Lights will create an unforgettable memory like none other. Whether it be cuddling up in a husky sled or cozying up in an igloo hotel, there are plenty of things to do together during this special time.

So make sure you keep an eye out for when Aurora activity is at its peak and head on over for your chance at experiencing this incredible phenomenon!
finland northern lights

10. Can you see Finland Northern Lights by Eye?

Yes, it is totally possible to see the Northern Lights with your own eyes. They appear as a light in the night sky that looks like dancing colors, and you can often see hues of yellow, green, red, blue or violet.

That being said, it's important to remember that seeing the Northern Lights isn't guaranteed and will depend on several external factors such as:

  1. Sun activity: The Aurora displays are created by solar particles bouncing off the Earth's atmosphere when solar activity is high.
  2. Location: Choose a spot away from light pollution and as far north as possible for best-viewing results and make sure to stand under clear lines of sight with little cloud cover in the sky above you.
  3. Time of year: The darker months provide better viewing conditions due to their longer nights. Generally speaking, peak season runs from late September through mid-April as this is when there is more darkness for viewing.

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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Find the best Aurora spots with the light pollution map and cloud cover prediction.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. If you decide to go with professional Aurora hunters here you can find the top-rated Aurora Tours.

Northern lights finland

Conclusion

The Northern Lights of Finland is an incredible and unforgettable experience. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the true beauty of nature in all its glory. With the right timing, equipment, and place, a visit to Finland can be a magical and unforgettable experience. Due to the unpredictability of the Aurora, it’s never a guarantee that you’ll be able to spot them. Therefore, if you do, you’ve been fortunate enough to witness the marvellous Aurora Borealis!

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