Northern Lights Viewing Season Extended
Climate Changes and Solar Activity Create New Opportunities for Aurora Chasers
About Extended Northern Lights Season
Scientists and tourism authorities have announced an extended viewing season for the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), with optimal viewing opportunities now available from late August through early April in traditional locations, and new southern viewing locations available September through March. This extension is attributed to increased solar activity during the current solar maximum and atmospheric changes that affect aurora visibility patterns.
Aurora tourism destinations including Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Canada, and Alaska are adapting their offerings to accommodate the extended viewing windows. The phenomenon is also being seen in more southerly locations than historically recorded, creating new tourism opportunities in regions like northern England, northern Germany, and northern Poland.
New and Extended Viewing Locations
The extended season now includes:
- Iceland: August 15 - April 15 (extended from September 1 - March 15)
- Northern England: September 15 - March 31 (new regular viewing zone)
- Finland's Lapland: August 20 - April 20 (extended from September 10 - March 20)
- Northern Germany: October 1 - February 28 (new seasonal viewing zone)
- Alaska: August 10 - April 25 (extended from September 1 - March 31)
Planning Your Aurora Viewing Trip
The extended viewing season offers more opportunities for travelers to witness the Northern Lights, but planning considerations have evolved. Travelers should now consider new factors including space weather forecasts, which are more predictive than traditional aurora forecasts, and the impact of increased viewing opportunities on accommodation availability.
New aurora tourism services include real-time alert systems that notify travelers via mobile apps when optimal conditions exist, specialized aurora accommodation such as glass igloos and wilderness huts with northern exposure, and photography workshops that adapt to the extended season. The season has also become more competitive, with bookings increasing by 40% for prime viewing locations.
Travelers should also consider the solar cycle, as the current solar maximum period (peaking in 2024-2025) creates more frequent aurora events, making this an especially good time to plan aurora viewing trips. Activity will gradually decrease through 2026 before increasing again toward the next solar maximum in 2035.
Tips for Aurora Viewing
- Use aurora forecast apps with solar wind data for best timing
- Plan for multiple nights to increase viewing opportunities
- Choose accommodations with northern views and minimal light pollution
- Bring proper cold-weather gear for extended outdoor viewing
- Consider aurora alert services for real-time activity notifications
Northern Lights Viewing Essentials
- Essential: Camera with manual settings and long exposure capability
- Recommended: Aurora alert app and space weather monitoring service
- Necessary: High-quality cold weather gear rated to -20°C (-4°F)
- Helpful: Red flashlight to preserve night vision
- Consider: Aurora photography workshop or guided tour