Alaska aurora borealis season

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. These images and videos should give you a feel for what its like to be under the dark skies and aurora. 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. Your guide to seeing the northern lights in alaska smithsonian. 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. All combined these variables make the fairbanks region an outstanding destination for possible aurora borealis viewing. The mustsee presentation in anchorage, aurora alaska s great northern lights. Alaska and aurora borealis feb 27 march 4, 2020 the planetary.

The dancing lights can appear on any dark, clear night in alaska although the prime aurora season is from midaugust to midapril. Northern lights season in alaska alaska s northern lights season is between midseptember and late april, peaking in march, though thats to. Alaskas northern lights season is between midseptember and late april, peaking in march, though its a season defined more for its long, dark nights than for solar activity. Where to see the northern lights in alaska westmark hotels. Best time to see aurora borealis in alaska simply put, the best time to see the aurora borealis is during cold months. Enjoy the aurora borealis season in fairbanks, alaska. Enjoy alaska s finest aurora borealis ever captured on film. 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. Because of extended daylight hours in alaska, late spring and early fall aurora tours will have adjusted pick up times. If you visit alaska in november, december or january. Enjoy alaskas finest aurora borealis ever captured on film. Having said that, there is so much to see and do in northern scandinavia that 24 hours of. How to see the northern lights in alaska from home.

During one of our tours last season, the best auroras weve ever experienced played out across the night sky just as the setting sun was settling into. The brighter the aurora forecast, the greater the alaska airlines discount. Aug 16, 20 experience the majestic phenomenon that is the aurora borealis. Alaska train will take you through the northern lights. The state of alaska happens to be one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights, scientifically known as the aurora borealis. Churchill, manitoba has one of the heaviest concentrations of auroral activity on earth, making it an ideal destination for a northern lights tour. The incredible natural phenomenon of the aurora borealis, or northern lights, is only visible in the far northern hemisphere.

Nov, 2017 northern alaska is where many americans head for the chance to see the aurora borealis. 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. Depending upon cloud cover and weather, alaska nights can be dark enough to highlight great auroras between midaugust through midapril. Unfortunately for alaska visitors who want to go on a cruise and see the northern lights, the cruise season and aurora viewing season do not overlap. Its a myth that you must travel to the state only during the deep winter, when darkness can last 1618 hours per day.

The best strategy to see the northern lights is to hang out for a few days in a prime location coldfoot. Many of the people trekking north to alaska in winter come to witness the aurora borealis. From midseptember to late april, when you have the best chance of witnessing phenomenon of the aurora borealis, youll fly from fairbanks to the remote village of coldfoot, in the brooks mountain range. If you seek adventure and unforgettable experiences, seeing the northern lights is probably on your bucket list. Combine your aurora viewing trip with a few other highlights planned out by salmon. The most reliable chances to see alaska s northern lights also known as the aurora borealis are in fairbanks, and above the arctic circle. Braving the cold is nothing if you get a chance to see the lights dancing and waving overhead.

Northern lights tours in alaska best aurora viewing. Want to get the best look at the dancing, dazzling display known as the aurora borealis. The 21 best places to see the northern lights in alaska. Learn the fascinating story of alaska s arctic from your guide. Plan your northern lights alaska cruise now to catch the stunning display in its full glory. Best places to see northern lights north america hypebae. During one of our tours last season, the best auroras weve ever experienced played out across the night sky just as the setting sun was settling into bed on. Our arctic circle aurora adventures spend multiple nights in coldfoot, alaska directly under the aurora oval. With the extended daylight in the summer months, the northern lights are best viewed in the darker months of winter. 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. Travel alaska things to do come see the northern lights.

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. 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. Alaska aurora borealis the northern lights in alaska. 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. Aurora borealis realtime tracker explore fairbanks alaska. Aurora borealis alaskas northern lights pictures cbs news.

Alaskas northern lights season is between midseptember and late april, peaking in march, though its a season defined more by its long, dark. Why you should visit alaska in september alaska tour jobs. You do not need a passport to experience prime northern lights just head north to fairbanks, alaska. Where is the best place to see the northern lights. 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 northern lights tracker gives realtime and threeday forecasts of aurora data correlated to six different locations near fairbanks, alaska. Aurora overnight adventure northern alaska tour company. In fairbanks, alaska, tourism officials market a northern lights season from aug. How to see the northern lights in fairbanks, alaska alaska. Alaskas 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. 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 aurora forecast is updated daily at midnight utc. Is one week better than the other for better odds of seeing the aurora. Many travelers come to alaska to see the aurora borealis, more commonly called 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. The aurora borealis is a staple of alaskan winters, as common as. 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. During aurora season august 21april 21 in the fairbanks region, the aurora borealis also known as the northern lights, almost always appears when the sky is relatively dark and clear. Welcome to my gallery of aurora borealis the northern lights. I returned to my hotel room and sat by the window, hopeful. While there are no guarantees that the northern lights show will happen on any particular night, northern lights trips are typically best made in late fall and winterearly spring, though they can be seen throughout the winter months on nights with clear skies. Weather permitting, lowlevel displays will be visible overhead from utqiagvik to fairbanks and visible low on the. Preferably situated under the aurora oval, reduced rains as well as an inland location add to plenty of, clear winter nights, as well as exceptional viewing throughout a lengthy aurora season august 21 with april 21.

While many travelers think they have to head to canada or northern europe to see the northern lights, you can. Day tour by bus to see aurora borealis the northern lights out of fairbanks, ak. Alaska aurora borealis northern lights guide with photos. Thick blankets of snow make for pristine landscapes, and long dark nights are the perfect stage for dazzling displays of the aurora borealis. Fairbanks aurora season is from august 21 to april 21. The viewing season lasts almost seven months, so the best time to seek the aurora really depends upon what else you want to do during your visit. The beauty of this is that you will often see the northern lights overhead and reflected in open water at the same time. Best week for aurora viewing in march 2020 fairbanks. Experience the majestic phenomenon that is the aurora borealis. Visit the arctic circle and see the trans alaska pipeline before northern lights tour. The best time to see the northern lights on an alaska cruise. In fact, fairbanks is often voted as one of the top ten places in the world to.

The best time to view the aurora borealis also known as the northern lights is during the winter months in fairbanks, alaska. If you want to give yourself the gift of adventure this holiday season, you can spend christmas under the northern lights beginning on christmas eve dec. Less than an hour from the city of fairbanks, borealis basecamp is not a destination, it is an experience. Areas near the magnetic north pole see the most brilliant displays, which become more intense as the temperature d.

Winter in alaska isnt for everyone but those who set forth with a sense of adventure and a warm jacket are rewarded with a true winter wonderland. Alaska center for the performing artssydney laurence theatre. 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. 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.

Would the 21st28th march be too late in the season after the vernal equinox to really see the northern lights, despite the darkness of new moon that entire week. Appreciate any guidancewe realize that the weather and aurora have to cooperate here thank you. The ethereal northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, meaning north wind of the dawn, brighten the night sky in a mystical display of color. The southern lights the aurora australis are the exact same phenomenon when viewed in the southern hemisphere. The answer is not a busy hotel, because the northern lights show to their best advantage where. 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. 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. 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. The aurora borealis can dominate the sky over alaska with dazzling, magical displays unsurpassed anywhere in the world. In february and march, there are longer daylight hours for you to enjoy with evenings that still offer maximum viewing chances. During the summer months of may, june and july it is just too bright to see them in the far northland. Nov 21, 2019 heading to alaska to see the aurora borealis.

Alaska is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights, or aurora borealis, dancing overhead. The aurora borealis is among the best reasons to come to alaska in september. 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. Areas near the magnetic north pole see the most brilliant displays, which become more intense as the temperature drops. Forecasting the northern lights means predicting solar activity, which is virtually impossible with our current technology. Borealis basecamp, northern lights viewing winter alaska. Stay overnight in exclusive fiberglass domes similar to those utilized by polar expeditions and research stations. Alaska s northern lights season is between midseptember and late april, peaking in march, though its a season defined more. Viewing northern lights in the bright alaska summer. Northern lights experience fairbanks, alaska youtube. Guests can book this travel itinerary through march 2019. Aurora borealis photos, resources and natural history. 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. Your guide to seeing the northern lights in alaska travel.

As an avid aurora chaser i dont like to miss a show. Mar 29, 2018 the aurora borealis is a staple of alaskan winters, as common as moose, down skirts and frosted beards. Aurora forecast geophysical institute university of alaska. 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. 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. 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. Your guide to seeing the northern lights in alaska. A sudden steep change in the magnetometer is usually an indicator that an extended period 0.

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. Aurora season is officially in full swing and weve gathered the best places to view the stunning northern lights aurora borealis in north america. Your definitive guide to seeing the northern lights in alaska in 2020. Head to these 17 incredible places in alaska to view the northern lights. I went to alaska in winter to see the northern lights. During very large auroral events, the aurora may be seen throughout the u. During these swing months, we recommend the all night aurora tour, pick up 10. Northern lights tours in alaska best aurora viewing vacations. In fact, fairbanks is often voted as one of the top ten places in the world to witness the brilliant green waves of light. However, if you want to see the wildlife indenali national park and the glaciers of kenai fjords national park in addition to the aurora borealis then i would recommend visiting alaska in early to midseptember. The natural light show is brightest in the fall and winter months.

Aurora prediction and northern lights forecast aurora hunter. My friends at northern alaska tour company say coldfoot is just in the right place, the arctic ova, where the lights are born. Its easy when the inky night sky comes alive with an amazing light show like the aurora borealis. 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. 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 aurora borealis, also called the northern lights, is a phenomenon of visual wonder that has captured the imagination of people for centuries. For the best chance on seeing the aurora borealis, come visit during the prime viewing season between september and march. Alaska cruises to see the northern lights usa today.

The best time to visit alaska for the aurora borealis. And, since were the airline with the most flights to alaska, we know a thing or two about seeing this natural wonder. Alaskas northern lights season is between midseptember and late april, peaking in march, though thats to do more with the long, dark nights. Aurora borealis season in northern polar latitudes alaska, northern canada, greenland, iceland, norway, sweden, finland and siberia runs from augustthruapril. Aurora dora piled into her car and, with a shrug of a smile, drove off.

We are alaska s premiere northern lights and winter wilderness adventure tours. Includes guided ground tour one way, flight oneway, and overnight accommodations. Now you know the basics, so its time to start planning a trip to alaska to see the northern lights for. Alaska airlines can help you save on your wanderlust goals with our newest flight deals. We are alaskas premiere northern lights and winter wilderness adventure tours. Its aurora season in alaska s far north alaska travelgram. Crafted exclusively to maximize northern lights viewing and comfort, these domes are.

September and october are usually the only months when the northern lights are visible at the same time as the lakes and rivers remain icefree. Heres a guide on when, where and how to see the northern lights. Its the most wonderful time of the year in the last frontier aurora borealis season. The best time to see the northern lights on an alaska. Explore fairbanks, alaska aurora borealis, midnight sun. Wondering how folks up here deal with alaskas long winter days. This video composed of still images and timelapse gives a nice picture of the good fortune we have living in fairbanks, alaska. Prime viewing is in early fall, late winter, and early springas in. Travel alaska top things to do in fairbanks chase the. Magnetometers provide an alternative view of the level of geomagnetic disturbance occurring.