Best Months to See the Northern Lights
The northern lights are most often visible from late September to early April in the Northern Hemisphere. Dark, clear nights around the equinoxes in September and March often bring stronger displays. In the Arctic winter, long nights increase your chances of seeing auroras.
Where the Northern Lights Are Visible
Northern Lights are best seen in high-latitude regions, including northern Scandinavia, Iceland, Canada, Alaska, and southern Greenland. During strong geomagnetic storms, the aurora oval can expand, making auroras visible at lower latitudes in the northern United States, the UK, and northern Europe.
What Drives Northern Lights Visibility
Auroras are caused by charged particles from the Sun interacting with Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere. Solar wind and coronal mass ejections boost auroral activity, which is measured by the Kp index. You can check current aurora forecasts and solar activity data from NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center.
