Our Top Tips for Seeing the Northern Lights in Alaska
Hoping to see the Northern Lights this winter? We’ve got our top tips to help you watch the Aurora Borealis dance overhead when the conditions are just right! Start planning your winter trip to Alaska to chase the lights!
Did you know the Northern Lights are caused by particles from the sun coming into contact with atoms and molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere? These particles from the sun trend towards the North and South poles, slam into molecules on Earth, and release energy in the form of bright light. We then get to see the sky dance!
Best Time to Visit to See the Northern Lights
In order to spot the Northern Lights it must be dark. If you’re coming to Alaska in the hopes of viewing this beautiful show you’re going to want to visit some time between late August & early April. With winter months bringing longer nights and more opportunity to see the dancing lights.
Which is the best month for visiting Alaska? This depends on what other activities are most important for your trip apart from spotting the lights!
November through January – These months have long nights and a great chance to see the Northern Lights on clear evenings. Wild ice skating or ice climbing can be great during this time. Many winter adventure experiences, like snowmobiling(link) with us, don’t start until December when there is more consistent snowfall. For the best chance of snow on the ground, visit in December or later.
February through the beginning of April – These months are most recommended for visiting Alaska in the wintertime. There is more daylight, but you can still catch the Northern Lights.
Ski season, snowmobiling, and dog sledding are in full swing. Temperatures tend to be less frigid too! Keep in mind that adventure experiences like snowmobiling wrap up towards the end of March.
Where in Alaska You Can See the Aurora
All of Alaska has a chance to spot the aurora – it’s even been seen in the lower 48! Where the aurora will travel depends on the size of the solar storm and the intensity of the KP Index. Some nights, only Fairbanks sees the aurora. Other nights, the aurora is spotted as far south as Seward.
Anchorage
With a strong storm and clear, north facing night sky, Anchorage and surrounding areas can be great for spotting the lights. You may want to find a spot outside the city to get away from light pollution and have some darker skies. Nearby areas like Palmer, Talkeetna, and towards Glenn Allen tend to offer better chances for seeing the lights. It really does depend on the weather and the forecast for the night!
Fairbanks
Fairbanks is known for the Northern Lights and it tends to be the highlight of things to do there in the wintertime. Fairbanks is more likely to have clear, cold, cloudless nights which are more suitable for seeing the aurora. Watching the forecast will still come in handy during your visit!
Head North of Fairbanks into the Arctic Circle for a more unique trip and even higher chance of spotting the lights! Remember that they concentrate around the North and South poles.
Want to increase your chances of seeing the lights? Check out our 8 day winter itinerary to visit both Anchorage and Fairbanks
Your Best Chances to Seeing the Northern Lights
Weather and Timing
Weather is a huge factor in being able to see the Northern Lights. On nights where it is cloudy, you will be less likely to see the aurora. You may be able to drive somewhere with less clouds to spot them in between cloud coverage.
The lights are more likely to come out anywhere from 10pm to 2am. Using an aurora forecast or tracker can better help you pinpoint when their height may be.
Use the Aurora Forecast
Check the Aurora Forecast or Aurora Viewline to get an idea of what the upcoming days look like for your chances of seeing the lights. The Aurora Tracker is a great tool for those visiting the Fairbanks area.
A KP index of 4 or higher tends to indicate a solar storm that will create a vibrant & viewable aurora!
You can also get the My Aurora app to help you catch the lights. This app can alert you when there is a higher chance of the lights, predict when they will be at their height so that you know when to check outside, and help you look at the upcoming forecast.
It even has a map so you can see where the lights are dancing in real time! These tools, and tuning in to some local Facebook groups, can help you catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Be sure to pop outside and check for yourself too! You may get a surprise show.
Be Prepared
To see the Northern Lights you typically need to be willing to go out in the cold. Be prepared with warm layers, handwarmers, beanies, gloves, scarves and more to help keep you warm. Having some backup blankets in the car and warm drinks can help you have a more comfortable time outside!
Visit Alaska For Multiple Nights
Having multiple nights to try to see the Northern Lights can increase your chances of spotting them! Some nights may have a low KP index, or may be too cloudy to see the aurora. Plan some fun activities during your stay and keep your fingers crossed for a good show at night!
Come on a Heated UTV Tour to See the Northern Lights!
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We Hope You Catch the Aurora on your Trip
Spotting the Northern Lights and watching them dance overhead is a once in a lifetime experience. We hope that your winter trip to Alaska includes the lights, and that you enjoy some other fun experiences during your stay! Be sure to book a snowmobile or heated UTV ride to see a glacier, ride some pow, or spot the aurora with us.
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