Chasing the Aurora: Best spots for Northern Lights
To be able to catch them, you need 3 key factors to align at the same time: dark skies, solar activity, and clear weather. You also need to know when and where you have the best chances to witness them. Read on to find out more!
Unfortunately, the northern lights don’t show up on demand. You can only see the aurora borealis at certain times of the year when conditions are right, that’s why good planning is necessary!
As 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. The darker the sky, the easier it is to discern the aurora’s colors dancing above you.
As for the season, you are more likely to see the northern lights in winter, between the months of October and April. This is because the night sky is darker in winter and there are fewer daylight hours. Winter in Northern Europe brings long, dark nights, particularly between December and February. In fact, in some regions in the far north, the sun doesn’t rise at all – a phenomenon called the “polar night”. The more hours of darkness then the more chances you have of seeing the aurora borealis.
Place
The northern lights are a natural phenomenon that you can witness at far northerly latitudes. You can only see the aurora borealis in the Northern Hemisphere, whereas the aurora australis is visible in the Southern Hemisphere.
The best places to see the aurora borealis are the Nordic countries of Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland, which lie within or near the Arctic Circle.
The Nordic destinations are ideal for northern lights viewing, because they are located in the “aurora zone” (or “northern lights belt”), where the most auroral frequency and intensity occurs.
Winter in the Nordics is a magical time of year for so many other reasons. As well as getting the opportunity to hunt for the lights, you can also enjoy activities in the snow like dog sledding or snowmobiling.
Source: www.nordicvisitor.com