The Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Norway
The Northern Lights are a huge
bucket list item for travellers across the world. But there are only a few
places where you can see this spectacular light show.
The Aurora Borealis is best viewed
as far north as you can. One of the top countries for Northern Lights seekers
to visit is Norway.
But to see this natural light show
at its best, you need to be not only in the right place but you need to be
there at the right time.
When exactly is the best time to see the Northern Lights in norway holidays?
When Is the Best Time to See the Northern Lights
in Norway?
Given
Norway’s northern location in Europe, this is one of the best places to see the
amazing scenery of the Northern Lights on a weekend break.
But you still
need to get your timing right. Luckily, there’s a lot of room for error in
Norway. Across much of the country, you can see the Northern Lights from autumn
all the way through to spring.
Autumn
Autumn is the start of the Northern Lights
season in Norway. This is the season when they start weaving their magic across
the night skies.
The season can start as early as September,
when the days start to shorten and the nights begin to lengthen. You won’t see
the lights from the city or town. But head out into the countryside away from
light pollution, and you’ve got a good chance of catching a glimpse of them.
September to November is shoulder season in
Norway when it comes to travel, and you’ll find that things are quieter here in
autumn than they are in summer or winter. It’s nowhere near as cold or snowy as
later months in the year of course, but the weather is certainly turning.
Winter
Winter
is peak season for Northern Lights
viewing in Norway, and that’s because this is your best
chance to see them.
Conditions are great and, with
clear skies, you’ll be able to see the Aurora Borealis almost every night of
your stay. You won’t even need to go too far from civilisation either, given
the long nights.
But winter can be a harsh time to
be in Norway. Aside from seeing the Northern Lights, your options are limited
to snow activities and you’ll need good, warm gear. Bad weather can make travel
difficult, and it can prevent you from seeing the Northern Lights too.
It’s a fascinating time to be in Norway, but you need to be
prepared for endless nights and almost no sunshine, especially in the arctic holidays.
The winter season usually lasts
from November through to February in Norway, with January and February having
the best conditions for chasing Northern Lights.
Spring
Spring can be a great time to see
the Northern Lights in Norway too. In fact, March is one of the most popular times
to visit.
The skies are incredibly clear in
spring and, although the nights are getting shorter, between March and the
start of April you still have enough darkness to spot the Aurora Borealis.
You’ll need to get out into the
countryside to see them at their best. Spring is also a great time for other
activities, as the snow starts to melt and you’ll be able to enjoy hiking and
camping when you might spot the Northern Lights too.
Summer
Of course, summer is not the time to be in Norway if you’re
looking to see the Northern Lights. While the natural phenomenon does actually
continue through summer, you don’t have the dark skies required to see them.
The earliest you’ll ever spot them is when the days shorten
towards the end of August, although don’t count on it.
The
Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Norway
Norway is one of the best countries in the Northern Hemisphere to
see the Northern Lights in all their glory.
That’s because Norway reaches up to the far north. Conditions in
some parts of the country are so perfect that there are certain times of the
year that you’ll be almost guaranteed to see the Aurora Borealis.
While you might see the Northern Lights in southern parts of the
country in the dead of winter, even as far south as Oslo or Bergen, you
instantly raise your chances by heading towards the Arctic.
Tromso is often noted as one of the best places to spot the Aurora
Borealis. Tromso is one of the most northerly cities in Norway, and the largest
city in Norway’s Arctic Circle. Tromso is often called the Gateway to the
Arctic. From autumn through to spring you’re likely to see the Northern Lights
here.
Of course, you can head even further north and into the Arctic
Circle itself.
What
to Expect on a Northern Lights Chase in Norway
While you might get lucky and see the Northern Lights from the
comfort of your hotel room or while you’re walking through the streets –
especially in the dead of winter, if you’re staying somewhere remote – you’ll
also find that there’s likely to be a lot of light pollution, unless you travel
out into the countryside.
That’s why one of the best ways to see the Northern Lights at
their best is to get far away from the cities, towns and villages of Norway
The best way to do this is on a Northern Lights Chase, which will
have you deep in the Norwegian wilderness on the hunt for this spectacular
natural phenomenon.
If you’re in Tromso, the gateway to the Arctic, you’ll start in
the evening and you won’t return to your hotel until the early hours of the
morning, by which time you’ll hopefully have seen the Aurora Borealis.
Local guides who know the area will drive you out to remote areas
of the Norwegian tundra, far away from any light pollution, where the
skies are at their darkest.
It’s an epic adventure. With the right guide and the right timing,
you’ll be able to see the world’s greatest light show in Norway!
Choosing
the Best Time to See Northern Lights in Norway
The
Northern Lights are one of the top bucket-list items for avid travellers,
nature lovers, photographers, and those fascinated by this incredible display
of nature – but finding them isn’t always easy! Although the Northern Lights
(also called Aurora Borealis) are always there, they are invisible when the
midnight sun is shining.
During
the long dark nights, which start around late September, travellers to Northern
Norway have the best chance of enjoying the magic of the Northern Lights,
whether taking a Northern Lights cruise far away from the light pollution of
the cities or enjoying a wintery adventure across the Arctic Circle.
Peak
Northern Lights season runs from November to February, but you can view the
lights between the Autumn Equinox in September and the Spring Equinox in March.
How to Ensure Your Northern Lights Hunt is Successful
There are several
reasons visitors to see the Northern Lights in Norway miss out; our travel
advisers ensure you are equipped with everything you need to pick the perfect
time, including recommendations for the best Aurora app to check when
conditions are ideal.
Here are some of
the common mistakes to avoid:
·
Looking for the
Northern Lights in Norway too far south. The further to Northern Norway you
are, the more visible the Northern Lights will be, so we recommend taking a day
trip if you are staying in Mainland Norway to a better viewing position.
·
Venturing out
when there is dense cloud cover or too much light pollution that obscures
visibility. An organised snowmobile safari is ideal, with an accurate weather
forecast to ensure you don’t head out on the wrong day.
·
Trying to see the
Northern Lights in the early afternoon. The best time to see the Northern
Lights dancing is after dusk, so we’d suggest keeping an eye out from nightfall
when there are clear skies.
The best Northern
Lights tours are run by experienced local guides, who will ensure you are in
the ideal spot within the Aurora zone and won’t need to keep your fingers
crossed!
What Time of Year Are the Northern Lights Most
Visible?
Northern Lights trips can be organised at any point over the
winter months, and the more solar activity, the brighter and more enchanting
the lights will be.
Visitors hoping to see the Northern Lights often opt for a snow
hotel at the northernmost point, where there are plenty of opportunities to
experience the splendour of the polar night sky away from light pollution.
Travellers can also combine a Northern Lights tour with other
amazing winter activities, whether a photo tour to glimpse wildlife, enjoying
local food, trying dog sledding, cross-country skiing or ice fishing.
Are the Northern Lights on your
bucket list? Contact our experts at Baltic Travel
Company today
to book your trip to Norway.
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