Fairbanks sits at 64° N and enjoys sporadic Northern Lights, though it's best to forget the more southerly destinations of Anchorage and Juneau, which see dramatically fewer displays during solar minimum (which lasts until the early 2020s).įor those wanting to maximize their chances now, head for the more remote northern villages of Coldfoot in the Yukon Territory, or Prudhoe Bay and Barrow in the extreme north. We do know, however, that the Northern Lights are best seen in Alaska between 65° north and 70° north latitude. Forecasting the Northern Lights means predicting solar activity, which is virtually impossible with our current technology. Northern Lights Season in AlaskaĪlaska's Northern Lights season is between mid-September and late April, peaking in March, though that's to do more with the long, dark nights than solar activity. According to the Geophysical Institute, the best time to see the aurora is at around midnight, give or take an hour. If you can find dark and clear skies, be on alert from 10 p.m. through 2 a.m., and you might get to see an aurora. It's also helpful to avoid the full moon, and a week on either side, to avoid the sky being washed out by moonlight. Combine that with a higher chance of clear skies in Alaska during spring, and March at an inland location is the best time and place to maximize your chances of seeing the Northern Lights from Alaska. What’s the forecasted best time to go in 2018?ĭisplays of the Northern Lights tend to intensify around the equinox months of September and March, because of Earth’s tilt in relation to the sun. Although there is a smaller chance now of experiencing a full-on auroral storm than during solar maximum, there will be nightly displays of Northern Lights right through until solar maximum returns in 2024. The Northern Lights occur because of solar activity - and because the sun is presently near what is called solar minimum, some aurora hunters have decided to postpone their trip. When Is the Best Time to See the Northern Lights? Historically when’s the best time to see the Northern Lights in Alaska? It may be cold in winter (temperatures can drop to -30☏), but the inland Alaskan Arctic - where skies tend to be clearer - is one of the best places in the world to see this famous light show. Northern Alaska is where many Americans head for the chance to see the aurora borealis. While many travelers think they have to head to Europe to see the Northern Lights, you can actually spot this phenomenon without leaving the United States.
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