The aurora borealis,commonly known as the Northern lights,is a spectacular natural light display in the sky,predominantly seen in the high-latitude regions around the Arctic and Antarctic. Predicting when and where to witness this phenomenon requires understanding several factors, including solar activity, geomagnetic conditions, and local weather. In 2026, favorable conditions are anticipated, potentially making the aurora visible in more southerly locations than usual.

The Northern Lights are caused by collisions between electrically charged particles released from the sun and atoms in Earth’s atmosphere. These particles travel along the Earth’s magnetic field lines, converging at the poles. When these particles collide with atmospheric gases like oxygen and nitrogen, they excite the atoms, causing them to emit light. The color of the aurora depends on the type of gas and the altitude of the collision. NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center provides detailed explanations of this process.

Solar Activity

The sun goes through an 11-year cycle of activity, with periods of high and low solar flare and coronal mass ejection (CME) activity. 2026 is predicted to be within Solar Cycle 25, which is expected to peak between 2024 and 2026, meaning increased chances of seeing the aurora. Higher solar activity means more charged particles are released, increasing the likelihood of geomagnetic storms.

Geomagnetic Storms

Geomagnetic storms are disturbances in Earth’s magnetosphere caused by solar wind. These storms are rated on a scale from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme).The stronger the storm (higher the G-level), the more likely the aurora will be visible at lower latitudes. NOAA’s Space Weather scales provide real-time updates and forecasts.

Dark Skies and Clear Weather

Light pollution significantly hinders aurora viewing. The darker the sky, the better. Get away from city lights and find a location with an unobstructed view of the northern horizon. Clear skies are also essential; cloud cover will block the aurora.

• Alaska, USA: Fairbanks and other locations in interior Alaska offer excellent viewing opportunities.
• Northern Canada: Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut provide dark skies and frequent aurora displays.
• Iceland: A popular destination for aurora tourism, offering accessible viewing locations.
• Northern Scandinavia: Norway, Sweden, and Finland are all within the auroral oval.
• Scotland & Northern England: During periods of strong geomagnetic activity, the aurora can sometimes be seen in these regions.
• Southern Germany: With high solar activity, sightings are possible, though less frequent.

• SpaceWeatherLive: https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/ Provides real-time solar wind data, geomagnetic activity forecasts, and aurora alerts.
• NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/ Official source for space weather forecasts and alerts.
• Aurora Forecast Apps: Numerous mobile apps (e.g., Aurora Forecast, My Aurora Forecast) provide notifications and predictions.

What time of night is best to see the aurora?

The aurora is most active between 10 PM and 2 AM local time, but can appear at any time during the night.

What color is the aurora?

The most common colors are green and pink