Want to get the best look at the dancing, dazzling display known as the aurora borealis. The country is renowned for its dramatic fjords but there is far more to it than these magnificent waterways formed thousands of years ago by glacial retreat. The otherworldly aurora borealis, or northern lights, begin high in the earths atmosphereat altitudes from 60 to more than 250 mileswhen charged particles from the sun become trapped in. North of the arctic circle, the sun does not rise above the horizon during. Fred sigernes at the university centre in svalbard operated kjell henriksen observatory. In winter, the months from october to march are the best. When solar wind hits earths magnetic field in the polar areas where the magnetic shield is less powerful, it collides with particles in our atmosphere creating electricity and light. To increase your chances of an aurora sighting, plan to go out on multiple. Aurora borealis season in northern polar latitudes alaska, northern canada, greenland, iceland, norway, sweden, finland and siberia runs from augustthruapril. Heres a guide on when, where and how to see the northern lights. December to midmarch is usually the time when we have snow at the aurora borealis observatory. Northern lights in norway best places to see the aurora borealis. However, if you want the best chance to see this magical show the main season to view the aurora borealis in norway is from october to march. Historically, the chances of seeing the northern lights are best viewed in northern norway between october and march, because the polar night makes them.
Aurora prediction and northern lights forecast aurora hunter. Northern norway is among the most comfortable and interesting places to see the northern lights and to experience the unbelievable colours move across the arctic sky. The period of darkness is so long in the winter that youll have plenty of time to try and catch a glimpse. Historically, the chances of seeing the northern lights are best viewed in northern norway between october and march, because the polar night makes them easier to see. The lights of the aurora generally extend from 80 kilometres 50 miles to as high as 640 kilometres 400 miles above the earths surface. The greatest occurrence is observed during winter polar nights along the. The northern lights are visible between septemberoctober and march.
Keep in mind that most visitors head out to begin their watch around 10 p. Where is the best place to watch the northern lights. The aurora borealis can be seen in norway from late september to late march. September through march is the peak season for northern lights viewing because the nights are longest. Staying in a northern lights hotel in norway is one of the best ways to enjoy this natural wonder norway is one of the best countries to see the northern lights thanks to its proximity, accessibility, and climate.
Northern lights, also known as aurora borealis appears when electrically charged particles electrons and protons from the sun are carried in the solar wind to the earths atmosphere. Easy to reach from the uk, with direct flights with norwegian, you can get close to nature, see wonderful. Low activity and heavy clouds means that there is little chance of northern lights in trondheim tonight tonight, april 10th. If youre wondering when to see the northern lights in norway, the best times are generally november, february, and early march. All combined these variables make the fairbanks region an outstanding destination for possible aurora borealis viewing. Just make sure youre on the lookout between dusk and dawn because they can occur at. The top of the visible aurora peters out at about 120 to 200 miles 200 to 300 kilometers, but sometimes aurora can be seen as high as 350 miles 600 kilometers. If you are a serious aurora watcher, plan to spend the night with aurora forecast application.
Oct 28, 2018 best place to see the boreal aurora in norway oslo. However, its not just a question of when but also where. Arctic norway is ideally located in the middle of the northern lights zone. Northern lights cycles norway visit tromso visit tromso. Have a onceinalifetime experience during the aurora borealis season. The best places in finland to see the northern lights. During the summer months of may, june and july it is just too bright to see them in the far northland. Aug 31, 2019 staying in a northern lights hotel in norway is one of the best ways to enjoy this natural wonder. Muonio is another small village in northern finland. The aurora is one of the best natural spectacles on earth. The best places to see the northern lights in finland. The northern lights are more prevalent during solar maximum the last of which occurred in june 2014. Norway is one of the best countries to see the northern lights thanks to its proximity, accessibility, and climate. The period is colder and when you have a lot of snow, however the landscape is usually all white and pretty.
Because geomagnetic activity is higher during spring and autumn, aurora season is therefore beginning in both hemispheres. The best period to experience the northern lights is from early september to early april. Nov 23, 2016 discover what time of year is best to see the northern lights in norway and find out how you can get there. Best time and place to see the northern lights in norway. After the tour you will be transferred back to your hotel. The optimal time of night for the northern lights is 11 p. All come with exciting daytime activities on the side. We have built up an extensive range of trusted and knowledgeable aurora guides, photographers and experts throughout northern scandinavia and combined with our 6point aurora hunting plan, we are quite simply your best chance for seeing the northern lights. Winter december to march winter is the ideal season to see the northern lights in norway similar to other northern lights destinations. The best aurora season aurora borealis observatory. Best time to see the aurora borealis 50 degrees north. So if youre headed on a trip to the celebrated fjords, mountains and snowscapes of norway to see the legendary aurora borealis, weve listed the best time of year and the best places to see the northern lights in norway.
The beauty of this is that you will often see the northern lights overhead and reflected in open water at the same time. Northern lights norway aurora borealis fjord travel norway. Spring is aurora season science mission directorate. For a better user experience please enable localstorage or use a different browser. Well, the official word, according to me, is that the aurora borealis can, in fact, be seen in september and not only in norway. Details about the service are also published in journal for space weather and space climate, and can be downloaded here. Despite being in a period of low solar activity, 2018 was by far the favorite aurora season of my career, and heres why.
This is a fantastic period, first of all characterized by a lot of northern lights. This is the aurora borealis holiday period normally without any snow and also the warmest period during aurora borealis season. Best time to see northern or polar lights in norway 2020. The aurora borealis northern lights and aurora australis southern lights are the result of electrons colliding with the upper reaches of earths atmosphere. The bottom edge of the aurora is typically about 60 miles 100 kilometers above the surface of the earth. Seeing the aurora borealis in oslo, the capital of norway, is difficult since it is located at a latitude of 59. Nov 26, 2018 a compilation of some nice time lapse sequences i shot north of tromso in arctic norway last week. The amount of darkness directly determines the northern lights season in norway. The otherworldly aurora borealis, or northern lights, begin high in the earths atmosphereat altitudes from 60 to more than 250 mileswhen charged particles from the sun become trapped in the earths magnetic field. Today is the beginning of both northern autumn and southern spring. During the summer months, there is almost constant daylight, and up north there is the.
In the evening, enjoy a northern lights cruise where you will sail away from the city lights, and view the stunning auroras from sea. Below you will find links to all of our award winning 4 and. Come see the northern lights with us on our tours which run from september to april. Pro surfer mick fanning and photographer trevor moran arrive in norway to surf under the aurora borealis. Northern lights can be seen in the northern or southern hemisphere, in an irregularly shaped oval centred over each magnetic pole. Our bold claim is that this part of norway, with itsmultiple islands,deep fjords and steepmountains, is among the most beautiful and interesting places to see the northernlights.
Boreas is a greek word for the north wind thus, the northern lights. Aurora forecast application lets you easily plan to see the northern lights. Situated just beneath the auroral oval, lofoten provides some of the best chances of seeing the northern lights. Protons cause faint and diffuse aurora, usually not easily visible to the human eye. So its to northern norway you should head, and tromso is firmly in. To see the lights, it needs to be dark and cold with as little cloud as possible. See the northern lights in the lofoten islands aurora hunts. Norways peak season for the northern lights is between september and march, though thats to do more with the long, dark nights at this time.
The finnish word for the lights, revontulet, comes from a sami legend where the tail of a fox running on along the snow covered fells strikes the snow drifts and sends a trail of sparks high up to the sky. Canadians walking their dogs after dinner, scandinavians popping out to the sauna, alaskan huskies on the iditarod trailall they have to do is look up and behold, green curtains of light dancing across the night sky. Scientifically speaking, the aurora is dancing above yearround, but we can only see it during the aurora season when we have dark enough skies. Here youre sure to find plenty of winter activities that suits you, whether you are an adventure seeker, a nature lover, or a romantic couple. In fact, under the right conditions, you can see the northern lights anywhere in finland read on for some of the top spots if youre planning an aurora trip to finland, especially those in the. The further south in you go, the shorter the aurora borealis season will be, meaning youll likely only see the northern lights between midoctober and march in those regions. Nov 22, 2018 peak northern lights season in norway is between november and march. September and october are usually the only months when the northern lights are visible at the same time as the lakes and rivers remain icefree. Jan 09, 2017 northern norway is one of the best places in the world to see the aurora borealis. It is this light that we see as the northern light or aurora borealis. The beautiful green, purple, and blue lights dancing like ribbons across the sky is a humbling, haunting, and eerie experience thats difficult to explain to those who havent seen them. If you miss the chance to see the northern lights before winter ends, plan ahead now. The 14 best places to see the northern lights in norway. Find out where to go and the best time to see the aurora borealis.
Discover the bustling city of tromso and its arctic history, rich culture, modern cuisine and unspoilt surroundings. Because of this, many hotels specialize in offering experiences focused entirely on the aurora borealis. I have put together the film from over 100 individual sequences. So basically aurora season in norway is from autumnal equinox to spring equinox, when the night sky is dark enough to display the beautiful light. Jul 10, 2018 from here, you can take a snowmobile tour to the borders of sweden and norway for one of the best aurora borealis viewing areas. Later in the season, the light is longer, allowing for more fun outside in the. Winter activities, snow tours, aurora northern lights packages, sledding and all that norway has to offer. Seek the aurora borealis on our northern lights tours and, whether you decide to travel by land or sea, the magnificent nights sky above could be ablaze with natures finest light show. The capital of this long and thin countrys capital, oslo, is too far south of the arctic circle to see the aurora borealis. I am a computer programmer and aurora watcher, so i combined both to create this site to help my northern lights forecasting and viewing. Northern norway is one of the best places in the world to see the aurora borealis.
See the aurora borealis on tour in the nordic lapland. The aurora forecast is provided using the svaltrackii software developed by prof. Winter, is the short answer, in the months between september and march. The aurora zone is the original northern lights holiday company. Our bold claim is that this part of norway, with its multiple islands, deep fjords and steep mountains, is among the most beautiful and interesting places to see the northern lights. As an astrophotographer, taking pictures of the night sky is my passion and profession. The northern lights season begins in late september and continues till about late march, however, the best time to see the magic spectacle in norway is the dark season between december and january. Generally speaking, the aurora borealis will remain very active for two to three years either side of solar maximum which effectively means that the current maximum has just passed its half way stage. Similar to the fall months, march in norway starts to.
Norway was at the very front of the queue when mother nature was dishing out spectacular landscapes. Best months for the northern lights 50 degrees north. The 10 best northern lights hotels in norway in 2020. Northern lights in tromso aurora oval gateway to the arctic. December and january can be pretty cold, so early or late in the northern lights season offer good visibility and slightly warmer. Features swpc ovation auroral forecast geomagnetic activity probabilities aurora. The aurora borealis, aka northern lights, take centre stage in these winter getaways. The northern lights are strongest when an active area on the suns surface faces earth.
In norway your chances of seeing the northern lights are greatest between september and april, with october through march being the best months. Be on the lookout between 8 pm and 2 am for a chance to see the best light show on earth. There they collide with gaseous particles, injecting them with extra energy which they then emit in dramatic displays that we call the northern lights. Fairbanks aurora season is from august 21 to april 21 and the aurora will be visible in fairbanks an average of four out of five nights when the sky is clear and dark enough. In addition, this period until december is autumnal months. October, february and march are the best months for seeing the aurora borealis. This is about the altitude at which the international space station flies. What makes norway such an incredible place to view the northern lights in.
Norways peak season for the northern lights is between september and march, though thats to do more with the long, dark nights at this time of year rather than an increase in solar activity. In norway, seeing the aurora borealis in summer is more complicated, since the sun barely sets over the horizon, a phenomenon also known as the midnight sun. If the main goal of your trip is to see the northern lights in norway, i. The best time to see the northern lights in norway days. At 50 degrees north, we are often asked when is the best time to view the northern lights, and fortunately for us, there is a large window of opportunity offered in our region between the autumn and spring equinox 21 september 21 march, the aurora lights are at their most frequent. Spectacular displays of the northern lights thus occur at roughly 27day intervals, the time it takes the sun to rotate once.
Northern lights norwegian centre for space weather noswe. Well, it isnt possible to see the aurora during summer because the norwegian summer nights are too bright. In winter, the months from october to march are the best time to see the northern lights in norway, as there are more hours of darkness. Visit norway you never know for sure when the aurora borealis will make an. You can also monitor space weather at noaas space environment. Low activity and heavy clouds means that there is little chance of northern lights in trondheim tonight tonight, april 10th go to forecast. I also just finished a tutorial for how to photograph the. Between late september and late march, northern norway is dark from early afternoon until late morning, and the northern lights frequently soar across the sky. As you might expect from a country thats as far north as finland, there are a lot of great spots where you can see the northern lights. Chasing the northern lights tromso, norway travel addicts.
Where to see the northern lights before winter ends. Seeing the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, is a once in a lifetime experience many travellers crave to check off their bucket list. Its located directly under the aurora oval, which means you wont have any trouble seeing the northern lights. You need to keep in mind that the aurora can only be seen during complete nighttime, astronomical and nautical twilight.
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