Where are the northern lights?

The northern lights can mostly be seen within the so-called auroral zone. The highest probability of witnessing the northern lights is in the northern auroral zone, which includes areas like Finnish Lapland.

Lapland offers a unique setting for enjoying this natural phenomenon – in addition to its northern location, it boasts some of the world’s darkest nights and vast open landscapes.

In this article, we explore where the northern lights can be seen, delve deeper into the concept of the auroral zone, and answer the question, where are the northern lights most visible? We also provide tips on the best locations and times to embark on a northern lights hunting adventure.

Table of contest

What are the northern lights and why do they happen?

The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are a mesmerizing natural phenomenon. As explained in the article What are the Nothern Lights (Aurora Borealis)? , the aurora borealis, or the Northern Lights, is a natural light phenomenon that occurs when charged particles from the Sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere.

These particles travel with the solar wind and are directed toward Earth’s magnetic poles. When they interact with atmospheric gases, such as oxygen and nitrogen, stunning light displays in shades of green, pink, purple, and red are created.

The intensity and colors of the northern lights depend on the strength of the solar wind and the types of atmospheric gases involved. This breathtaking phenomenon is not only a visual experience but also a reminder of the dynamic relationship between the Sun and our planet.

How often do the Northern Lights happen?

The frequency of the northern lights varies based on several factors. Generally, northern lights can be seen multiple times a year, especially at high latitudes, such as in Finnish Lapland.

The occurrence of the northern lights is strongly influenced by solar wind activity, which is partly dependent on the 11-year solar sunspot cycle. The Finnish Meteorological Institute’s article describes this well:

“The most northern lights typically occur a couple of years after the solar sunspot maximum, when the number of sunspots has already begun to decline.”

In Lapland, the best times to observe the northern lights are during the dark winter months, from November to March, when the sky is at its darkest and the nights are long. In Lapland, the northern lights occur on about 70% of winter nights.

How often do the Northern Lights happen?

Where are the northern lights located?

As we briefly mentioned in the introduction, the northern lights are primarily located within the so-called auroral zone, which extends about 2500 km from the poles, both to the north and south.

The auroral zone is the area where charged particles from the solar wind collide most strongly with Earth’s atmosphere, creating the northern lights.

In the northern hemisphere, the northern lights can be seen especially near the North Pole, in areas such as Finland, Sweden, Norway, Canada, and Alaska.

Northern lights also occur in the southern hemisphere, often referred to as aurora australis. The southern auroral zone is located in Antarctica and surrounding regions, such as southern New Zealand and the southern parts of Australia. However, in the southern hemisphere, observing the northern lights is more difficult, as the population is sparse, and observation sites are often hard to access.

Where can I see the northern lights in Europe?

In Europe, the best places to see the northern lights are in the northernmost regions, where the auroral zone is closest to the Earth’s poles. The most popular northern lights destinations in these areas are Finland, Sweden, and Norway.

We are often asked if the aurora can be seen in Germany, Denmark, or Russia. However, seeing the northern lights in these countries is rarer because they are located further away from the auroral zone, and the climate conditions can prevent the aurora from being visible. In Russia, the northern lights can indeed be seen, especially in its northern regions, such as the Murmansk area and Siberia. However, in southern Russia and further south, the northern lights are rare and more difficult to observe.

Where can I see the northern lights in Europe?

Where is it best to see the northern lights?

In Finland, the best places to see the northern lights are definitely in Lapland, particularly in Rovaniemi, Inari, and Kilpisjärvi. These destinations are among the top choices for northern lights tourism worldwide.

Sweden’s most popular northern lights destinations are Abisko National Park and Kiruna. In Norway, Tromsø, Nordkapp, and the Lofoten Islands are the best places to see the northern lights.

Where in Finland are the northern lights?

At its best, the northern lights can be seen in any town in Finland, but in practice, this is highly unlikely.

In Finland, the northern lights are most likely to be seen in Lapland, where the auroral zone is strongest. The Lapland regions, such as Rovaniemi, Inari, Kilpisjärvi, and Saariselkä, are the most popular places to admire the aurora borealis. These areas have long, dark winter nights and little light pollution, which increases the chances of seeing the northern lights.

Although the northern lights are most commonly seen in the north, sometimes during the winter months, they can also be observed further south if solar activity is at its peak and the sky is clear and cloudless.

Where in Finland are the northern lights?

Can I see aurora from Helsinki?

Yes, it is possible to see the northern lights in Helsinki, provided that geomagnetic activity is strong and the sky is dark and cloudless. However, as a meteorologist interviewed in a Yle article reminds us, even during exceptionally high levels of activity, the auroras are not always visible.

Seeing the northern lights in Helsinki is therefore rare, but not completely impossible. The city’s southern location and light pollution are often too high for the auroras to be clearly visible.

How likely am I to see the Northern Lights in Finland?

The likelihood of seeing the northern lights depends on many factors, such as the strength of the solar wind and weather conditions.

In Finland, the chances of seeing the northern lights are quite high, especially in Lapland, where the auroral zone is strongest. In Lapland, the northern lights can be seen on up to 200–250 nights per year.

Which thing is famous in Finland?

Finland is home to several world-famous things, one of the most well-known being the northern lights. This natural phenomenon attracts travelers from around the world to admire the colorful lights of the northern sky.

In addition to the northern lights, Finland’s mysterious beauty and breathtaking nature, with its thousands of forests and lakes, draw tourists from all over the world.

Furthermore, many people travel to Finland for a holiday to meet Santa Claus, as you can visit the real Santa in Santa Claus Village. (You can read more about this in the article “Santa’s address – where does Santa Claus live?”)

Finns are also known for their high-quality education system and sauna culture. Sauna is an important tradition for Finns, and there are more than two million saunas in the country.

Where are the northern lights tonight?

Predicting the visibility of the northern lights can be challenging, as it depends on several factors, such as the strength of the solar wind, geomagnetic activity, and weather conditions.

The most important factor in predicting northern lights visibility is geomagnetic activity, which is linked to solar activity and the solar wind. On the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s website, you can track the magnetic activity over the past 24 hours.

Although geomagnetic activity is the key factor, weather also plays a role in the visibility of the northern lights. A clear and cloudless sky is essential to see the aurora clearly. Therefore, it is important to also check local weather forecasts, particularly considering cloud cover and wind.