The best place in the united states to see the northern lights. If you want to see the northern lights or aurora borealis in alaska, youre not alone. Alaskas northern lights season is between midseptember and late april, peaking in march, though its a season defined more by its long, dark. Where is the best place to see the northern lights. The alaska aurora borealis, or northern lights, are glimmering ribbons of color that flash across the northern sky and leave all who see it with a sense of wonder and a feeling of being touched by some mystical force. The aurora borealis is among the best reasons to come to alaska in september. Your guide to seeing the northern lights in alaska. We are alaska s premiere northern lights and winter wilderness adventure tours. Dec 11, 2018 on the last night of the tour, guests will travel to the chena hot springs and spend the evening watching for aurora borealis. Alaska s northern lights season is between midseptember and late april, peaking in march, though its a season defined more by its long, dark nights than by. One of the best viewing locations is fairbanks, alaska, which is why this landmark is one of the central highlights of a norwegian cruise line tour. The most reliable chances to see alaska s northern lights also known as the aurora borealis are in fairbanks, and above the arctic circle.
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. Your definitive guide to seeing the northern lights in alaska in 2020. Braving the cold is nothing if you get a chance to see the lights dancing and waving overhead. The 21 best places to see the northern lights in alaska. Its easy when the inky night sky comes alive with an amazing light show like the aurora borealis. Stay overnight in exclusive fiberglass domes similar to those utilized by polar expeditions and research stations. Aurora prediction and northern lights forecast aurora hunter. The incredible natural phenomenon of the aurora borealis, or northern lights, is only visible in the far northern hemisphere. Alaska airlines can help you save on your wanderlust goals with our newest flight deals. In medieval times, the occurrences of auroral displays were seen as harbingers of war or famine. Your guide to seeing the northern lights in alaska smithsonian.
The aurora borealis, or northern lights, have been dancing across the lofty latitudes of alaska for as long as the earth has been dancing around the sun. Travel alaska things to do come see the northern lights. Alaska is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights, or aurora borealis, dancing overhead. Aurora borealis northern lights the aurora is a beautiful, if hard to predict, phenomenon, occurring yearround. Mar 29, 2018 the aurora borealis is a staple of alaskan winters, as common as moose, down skirts and frosted beards. Combine this with the often clear and cold skies in fairbanks, alaska and you have at least the beginning recipe for seeing the aurora borealis. The aurora belt in alaska s great interior and arctic regions is among the most active in the world, and there are few other places on earth so suited for an aurora borealis vacation. To see the northern lights you need dark skies and from earlyapril until lateaugust, the aurora may be blazing across the arctic firmament but it is visible only to scientific equipment, as the skies are just too light for the human eye to see the show. Guests can book this travel itinerary through march 2019. What is the best time or place to see the northern lights in alaska. Only in the fall, winter and early spring, however, is there enough darkness to allow us to see the northern lights when they occur. Its a myth that you must travel to the state only during the deep winter, when darkness can last 1618 hours per day. Aurora borealis realtime tracker explore fairbanks alaska.
Combined with a slight preference for better weather in spring than in fall, this means that late february to early april are usually considered the best aurora viewing months in alaska. Northern lights season in alaska alaska s northern lights season is between midseptember and late april, peaking in march, though thats to do more with the long, dark nights than solar activity. Enjoy the aurora borealis season in fairbanks, alaska. 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. I rushed for my camera, and in those first latenight and early morning hours, i began a pursuit for aurora borealis photos that has yet to end. Northern lights tours in alaska best aurora viewing vacations. Mar 05, 2018 march is not the only month to see the northern lights in the aurora borealis season, but it is one of the most geomagnetically active solar months of the year.
On the last night of the tour, guests will travel to the chena hot springs and spend the evening watching for aurora borealis. Head to these 17 incredible places in alaska to view the northern lights. Many of the prime locations are easily accessed from the city. Northern lights tours in alaska best aurora viewing. Aurora borealis photos, resources and natural history. The aurora tracker is a oneofakind tool for predicting the chances of seeing the northern lights during aurora season, august 21 april 21 if traveling or in the fairbanks, alaska area. March is not the only month to see the northern lights in the aurora borealis season, but it is one of the most geomagnetically active solar months of the year. Alaska aurora borealis northern lights guide with photos. Alaska northern lights tours aurora borealis tours. Best time to see northern lights in alaska 2020 when. The brighter the aurora forecast, the greater the alaska airlines discount. Alaskas northern lights season is between midseptember and late april, peaking in march, though its a season defined more. The answer is not a busy hotel, because the northern lights show to their best advantage where. I went to alaska in winter to see the northern lights.
Simply put, the best time to see the aurora borealis is during cold months. Many travelers come to alaska to see the aurora borealis, more commonly called the northern lights. Alaska and aurora borealis feb 27 march 4, 2020 the planetary. Areas near the magnetic north pole see the most brilliant displays, which become more intense as the temperature d. Northern lights viewing anchorage, alaska visit anchorage. We are alaskas premiere northern lights and winter wilderness adventure tours. Seeing the northern lights is one of the top reasons people travel to alaska during the cold winter months, and its totally worth it.
Northern lights in alaska aurora borealis in alaska. Scientifically speaking, the aurora is dancing above yearround, but we can only see it. One of our most popular tours, the aurora chaser gets you out into the very best possible areas for viewingphotographing northern lights in the prime auroral zone the area north of the alaska range for the specific night of your tour. Dear aurora enthusiast, here is a dashboard for all of you aurora hunters trying to see the northern lights tonight. Aurora borealis season in northern polar latitudes alaska, northern canada, greenland, iceland, norway, sweden, finland and siberia runs from augustthruapril. Aug 16, 20 experience the majestic phenomenon that is the aurora borealis. During the summer months of may, june and july it is just too bright to see them in the far northland. Alaskas northern lights season is between midseptember and late april, peaking in march, though its a season defined more by its long, dark nights than by. Includes guided ground tour one way, flight oneway, and overnight accommodations. The best time to see the northern lights on an alaska. Want to get the best look at the dancing, dazzling display known as the aurora borealis.
Aurora borealis alaskas northern lights pictures cbs news. Apr 02, 2020 it was set to be a record winter season in the frontier state. Crafted exclusively to maximize northern lights viewing and comfort, these domes are. The best time to see the lights is between august and april, when less daylight leads to darker night skies. Alaska aurora borealis the northern lights in alaska. Our arctic circle aurora adventures spend multiple nights in coldfoot, alaska directly under the aurora oval. The aurora borealis can dominate the sky over alaska with dazzling, magical displays unsurpassed anywhere in the world. Because of its location, alaska is one of the best places in the world to watch the northern lights. Alaskas northern lights season is between midseptember and late april, peaking in march, though thats to do more with the long, dark nights. Northern lights experience fairbanks, alaska youtube. The aurora borealis is a staple of alaskan winters, as common as moose, down skirts and frosted beards. Anchorage is the best base from which to chase aurora. Your guide to seeing the northern lights in alaska travel. Why you should visit alaska in september alaska tour jobs.
When is the very best time to see the northern lights. The northern lights and aurora borealis are names for a phenomenon that technically occurs all around the world, but specifically refers to visible lights usually seen only in the northernmost parts of the world. Combine your aurora viewing trip with a few other highlights planned out by salmon. Plan your northern lights alaska cruise now to catch the stunning display in its full glory. Areas near the magnetic north pole see the most brilliant displays, which become more intense as the temperature drops. In february and march, there are longer daylight hours for you to enjoy with evenings that still offer maximum viewing chances. Aurora forecast geophysical institute university of alaska. Experience the majestic phenomenon that is the aurora borealis. Here are our tips for when and where to see this stunning phenomenon. Viewing northern lights in the bright alaska summer. Though we are a relatively new aurora tour service, we are no strangers to the alaska visitor industry, with over 30 years experience guiding folks on multiday wilderness tours across alaska and russia during the warm weather season. The dancing lights can appear on any dark, clear night in alaska although the prime aurora season is from midaugust to midapril.
The northern lights tracker gives realtime and threeday forecasts of aurora data correlated to six different locations near fairbanks, alaska. In roman myths, aurora was the goddess of the dawn. Given the right conditions and viewing locale, these dancing bars of light might shimmer right over head, ranging from subtle green columns to vast red curtains that fill the entire sky. We have some dates that are either sold out, or closed. Weather permitting, moderate displays will be visible overhead from utqiagvik to as far south as talkeetna. These images and videos should give you a feel for what its like to be under the dark skies and aurora. Because of its location under an auroral oval, fairbanks is one of the worlds best places to watch the aurora borealis light up the night. The arctic circle aurora overnight adventure departs from fairbanks by land or air and offers optional aurora viewing, dog sledding, and brooks mountain range excursions from your base camp at coldfoot, alaska. Less than an hour from the city of fairbanks, borealis basecamp is not a destination, it is an experience.
Wondering how folks up here deal with alaskas long winter days. As an avid aurora chaser i dont like to miss a show. Caused by supercharged solar particles colliding with the earths atmosphere, these ethereal streamers of green, white, purple, blue and even red light draw awestruck travelers from all over the world. The best time to see the northern lights on an alaska cruise.
Travel alaska top things to do in fairbanks chase the. Nov, 2017 northern alaska is where many americans head for the chance to see the aurora borealis. In fact, fairbanks is often voted as one of the top ten places in the world to witness the brilliant green waves of light. Feb 27 mar 4, 2020 an opportunity to watch the northern lights dance across the night sky above the 49th state. The best time to visit alaska for the aurora borealis. Though we are a relatively new aurora tour service, we are no strangers to the alaska visitor industry, with over 30 years experience guiding folks on multiday wilderness tours across. The aurora borealis, also called the northern lights, is a phenomenon of visual wonder that has captured the imagination of people for centuries. It was set to be a record winter season in the frontier state. Aurora borealis can only be seen from a few places in the world.
How to see the northern lights in alaska from home. There are plenty of anchorage guides with an eye for those magical lights. Aurora overnight adventure northern alaska tour company. We enjoyed many months of the incredible midnight sun and now for the first time in over 90 days we are getting real sunsets that lead to dark 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. If youve dreamed of seeing the glowing colors of the aurora borealis light up the night sky, and lets face it, who hasnt, you are probably wondering where is the best place to see the northern lights. Having said that, there is so much to see and do in northern scandinavia that 24 hours of.
Aurora borealis and star gazing denali national park. Primetime for nothern lights viewing has passed, but there are still ways to track down the aurora borealis in the alaska summertime if you know where, or when, to go. Armchair trips to see the northern lights offer hope for alaska. The aurora borealis lodge offers evening aurora tours for guests staying in fairbanks area hotels. You have probably seen dozens of exciting pictures with colourful waves in the night sky. Aurora borealis, the lights of the northern hemisphere, means dawn of the north. With the extended daylight in the summer months, the northern lights are best viewed in the darker months of winter.
Learn the fascinating story of alaskas arctic from your guide. Alaska train will take you through the northern lights. Its the most wonderful time of the year in the last frontier aurora borealis season. Welcome to my gallery of aurora borealis the northern lights. The most reliable chances to see alaskas northern lights also known as the aurora borealis are in fairbanks, and above the arctic circle.
Borealis basecamp, northern lights viewing winter alaska. The natural light show is brightest in the fall and winter months. During very large auroral events, the aurora may be seen throughout the u. 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. The northern lights or aurora borealis is one of the most famous alaskan symbols, so dont miss a chance to see this rare and spectacular phenomenon. The aurora belt in alaskas great interior and arctic regions is among the most active in the world, and there are few other places on earth so suited for an aurora borealis vacation. 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.