Best Time to See the Northern Lights: Hour-by-Hour Guide
Discover the optimal times for aurora viewing—from the best hours of the night to the ideal months and moon phases for maximizing your chances.
Best Time to See the Northern Lights: Hour-by-Hour Guide
"When should I look for aurora?" is one of the most common questions from beginners. The answer involves multiple timescales: the right hour, the right season, the right moon phase, and the right point in the 11-year solar cycle.
This guide breaks down each factor so you can maximize your chances, whether you're planning a trip months ahead or deciding whether to stay up tonight.
Best Hours: When to Go Outside
The Golden Hours: 10 PM to 2 AM
Aurora activity follows a statistical pattern based on magnetic midnight—when your location is on the night side of Earth facing the magnetotail. For most aurora destinations, this translates to roughly 10 PM to 2 AM local time.
| Time Window | Activity Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6-9 PM | Low | Usually too early; still twilight in many locations |
| 9-10 PM | Increasing | Activity often starts building |
| 10 PM - 12 AM | Peak | Statistically highest activity |
| 12 AM - 2 AM | Peak | Second peak window |
| 2-4 AM | Decreasing | Activity winding down |
| 4-6 AM | Low | Dawn approaching; fading conditions |
Why 10 PM - 2 AM? This window corresponds to when your location rotates through the zone where solar wind particles funnel down magnetic field lines. It's a geometric consequence of Earth's rotation and magnetic field shape.
Early Evening Opportunities (6-9 PM)
Don't dismiss early evening entirely. During strong storms:
- Aurora can extend to unusual local times
- Substorms can trigger at any hour
- If Bz is strongly negative, activity starts earlier
Practical advantage: Early evening aurora means you can view without staying up until 2 AM—great if you have work the next day.
Late Night to Dawn (2-6 AM)
Activity typically fades after 2 AM, but exceptions exist:
- Strong storms can produce all-night aurora
- Late substorms sometimes occur around 3-4 AM
- The dedicated minority who stay out latest sometimes get empty-sky views just for themselves
The Timing Exception: Geomagnetic Storms
During major storms (Kp 7+), the normal timing patterns break down. Aurora can appear:
- Much earlier in the evening
- Continue until astronomical dawn
- Visible even at lower latitudes where timing usually differs
Storm strategy: If NOAA issues a G3+ geomagnetic storm watch, be ready to view from sunset to sunrise.
Best Months: Seasonal Patterns
Prime Season: September to March
Aurora requires darkness. At polar latitudes, summer brings the Midnight Sun—24-hour daylight that makes aurora invisible even if it's occurring.
| Month | Darkness Quality | Aurora Season Rating |
|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent darkness | ★★★★☆ (cold, cloudy in some regions) |
| February | Excellent darkness | ★★★★★ (clearing weather, still dark) |
| March | Good darkness | ★★★★★ (equinox effect, improving weather) |
| April | Declining | ★★★☆☆ (darkness fading) |
| May-July | Midnight sun | ☆☆☆☆☆ (not visible) |
| August | Returning darkness | ★★☆☆☆ (late month only) |
| September | Good darkness | ★★★★★ (equinox effect, mild weather) |
| October | Excellent darkness | ★★★★☆ (increasing clouds) |
| November | Excellent darkness | ★★★★☆ (cloudier) |
| December | Maximum darkness | ★★★☆☆ (holiday crowds, extreme cold) |
Why February-March and September-October Are Best
Two factors combine to make these "shoulder seasons" ideal:
1. The Equinox Effect
Geomagnetic activity statistically increases around the spring and fall equinoxes (March 20, September 22). This "Russell-McPherron effect" occurs because Earth's magnetic field aligns favorably with the solar wind during these periods.
| Period | Geomagnetic Activity |
|---|---|
| Equinoxes (Mar/Sep) | Statistically higher than average |
| Solstices (Jun/Dec) | Statistically lower than average |
2. Weather Patterns
Late winter (Feb-Mar) and early autumn (Sep-Oct) often have better weather than deep winter:
- February: Winter storms subsiding
- March: Increasing stability
- September: Summer warmth lingering
- October: Before major winter storms
The Temperature Trade-off
| Month | Typical Temperature (Northern Norway) | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| September | 5-10°C (40-50°F) | Very comfortable |
| October | 0-5°C (32-40°F) | Comfortable |
| November | -5 to 0°C (23-32°F) | Cool |
| December-January | -10 to -5°C (14-23°F) | Cold |
| February | -10 to -5°C (14-23°F) | Cold |
| March | -5 to 0°C (23-32°F) | Improving |
Recommendation: September-October offers the best balance of aurora probability, weather, and comfort. February-March is excellent if you don't mind cold.
Moon Phase: The Forgotten Factor
Many aurora guides overlook moon phase. They shouldn't—moonlight dramatically affects aurora visibility.
How Moonlight Impacts Aurora Viewing
| Moon Phase | Sky Brightness | Aurora Visibility |
|---|---|---|
| New Moon | Darkest | Optimal |
| Waxing Crescent | Very dark | Excellent |
| First Quarter | Moderate | Good (avoid moon rise) |
| Waxing Gibbous | Bright | Reduced |
| Full Moon | Brightest | Challenging |
| Waning Gibbous | Bright | Reduced |
| Last Quarter | Moderate | Good (avoid moon set) |
| Waning Crescent | Very dark | Excellent |
The Numbers
Full moon is approximately 400,000 times brighter than the brightest stars. This brightness:
- Washes out faint aurora
- Reduces color perception
- Limits visibility to only the strongest displays
Planning Around the Moon
The New Moon Window: Plan trips for the 10-day period centered on the new moon. This gives you 5 days of waxing crescent and 5 days of waning crescent—both excellent for aurora.
| Days from New Moon | Phase | Aurora Viewing |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | New Moon | Perfect |
| 1-4 | Waxing Crescent | Excellent |
| 5-7 | First Quarter | Good |
| 8-10 | Waxing Gibbous | Acceptable |
| 11-14 | Full Moon | Poor |
| 15-17 | Waning Gibbous | Acceptable |
| 18-21 | Last Quarter | Good |
| 22-25 | Waning Crescent | Excellent |
| 26-29 | Near New | Perfect |
When Moon Phase Matters Less
During strong geomagnetic storms (Kp 6+), aurora can overpower moonlight. Some photographers even prefer a quarter moon during these events—the moonlight illuminates foreground landscapes while the aurora dominates the sky.
The Solar Cycle: Long-Term Planning
The sun's 11-year activity cycle significantly affects aurora frequency.
Where We Are Now: Solar Maximum (2024-2026)
Current status: The Sun entered Solar Maximum in late 2024, as announced by NASA and NOAA. We're currently in the prime aurora-viewing period, and this maximum phase typically lasts 1-2 years.
| Solar Cycle Phase | Duration | Aurora Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Minimum | 2-3 years | Lower; aurora mostly at high latitudes |
| Rising Phase | 2-3 years | Increasing; more strong storms |
| Solar Maximum | 2-3 years | Highest; frequent storms, low-latitude aurora |
| Declining Phase | 3-4 years | Still good; recurrent coronal holes |
What Solar Maximum Means for You
- More Kp 5+ events: Strong storms occur more frequently
- Lower latitude visibility: People in Scotland, northern US, and similar latitudes have better chances
- Unpredictable events: CMEs and flares happen more often
- Don't wait: This window lasts only 2-3 years before declining
Planning for the Declining Phase (2026-2030)
As Solar Maximum wanes:
- Activity decreases but doesn't disappear
- Coronal holes become prominent, creating predictable aurora every ~27 days
- High latitude aurora remains reliable
- Plan trips around known coronal hole forecasts
Trip Planning: Putting It All Together
The Optimal Trip Window Checklist
For the best aurora trip, aim for:
- Month: September-October or February-March
- Moon phase: Within 7 days of new moon
- Duration: Minimum 3-4 nights (weather buffer)
- Solar cycle: 2024-2026 (current Solar Maximum)
Sample Trip Planning for 2026
| Trip Window | Moon Phase | Season Rating | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 14-20 | New moon Jan 17 | Good | ★★★★☆ |
| Feb 12-18 | New moon Feb 15 | Excellent | ★★★★★ |
| Mar 14-20 | New moon Mar 17 | Excellent | ★★★★★ |
| Sep 7-13 | New moon Sep 10 | Excellent | ★★★★★ |
| Oct 6-12 | New moon Oct 9 | Excellent | ★★★★★ |
How Many Nights Do You Need?
Aurora hunting requires patience. Weather and geomagnetic activity vary nightly.
| Trip Length | Success Chance | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 night | Low | Not recommended |
| 2 nights | Moderate | Risky |
| 3-4 nights | Good | Recommended minimum |
| 5-6 nights | Very good | Excellent buffer |
| 7+ nights | High | Best odds |
*Success varies significantly by location, weather patterns, and solar activity. At prime locations like Northern Norway or Alaska during peak season with clear skies, the Finnish Meteorological Institute reports aurora visible on approximately 75% of clear nights in the Arctic.
Nightly Strategy: What to Do Each Hour
Before Sunset
- Check weather forecasts for clear patches
- Note moonrise/moonset times
- Review solar wind data (Bz, speed, density)
- Plan escape routes to clearer skies if needed
8-9 PM
- Allow eyes to adjust to darkness (30 minutes)
- Take test photos to check for faint activity
- Monitor magnetometer for local disturbances
9-11 PM
- Primary viewing window
- Check conditions every 15-30 minutes
- Don't give up if early checks show nothing
11 PM - 1 AM
- Statistical activity peak
- Stay alert for substorms
- If aurora appears, it often intensifies during this window
1-3 AM
- Second peak window
- Decision point: stay out or sleep?
- Strong storms often continue; weak nights fade
3 AM+
- Only worthwhile during major storms
- Consider calling it a night if activity has ceased
- Set an alarm for 3:30 AM if conditions looked promising earlier
Quick Reference: Decision Matrix
Use this when deciding whether to go outside:
| Condition | Clear Sky | Partly Cloudy | Overcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kp 5+ forecast | Go out | Go out; find clear patches | Stay ready; monitor |
| Kp 3-4 forecast | Go out (high lat) | Worth checking | Probably not tonight |
| Kp 1-2 forecast | Maybe (65°N+) | Unlikely | Rest tonight |
| Bz strongly negative | Go out immediately | Go out | Monitor for clearing |
Conclusion
Timing is everything in aurora hunting. The perfect confluence of factors—late evening hours, equinox months, new moon phase, and solar maximum—creates the best opportunities. But even with "average" timing, aurora viewing is often possible if you're patient and persistent.
The most important timing factor: Being outside under clear skies. Every minute spent indoors while aurora is active is a minute of missed potential.
Aurora Go provides timing data including moon phase, darkness hours for your location, and real-time activity indicators—helping you choose the right moment to venture outside.
References
- NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. "Tips for Viewing the Aurora." Best viewing times, equinox seasonality, moonlight effects.
- NASA. "Solar Cycle 25 Maximum." Solar maximum announcement (October 2024).
- Russell, C. T., & McPherron, R. L. (1973). "Semiannual variation of geomagnetic activity." Journal of Geophysical Research. Original equinox effect research.
- Finnish Meteorological Institute. "Auroras in Finland." Seasonal probabilities and viewing statistics.
- NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. "Aurora." Auroral oval latitude ranges.