The northern lights may be synonymous with the darkest winter months, but if you’re looking for a ‘best time to go’, the period around the spring equinox in March is a good time of year for witnessing nature’s light show. Not only is an equinox a significant astronomical event, but it’s also great news for aurora hunters, too.
There are two equinoxes each year – the autumn equinox in September and the spring, or vernal, equinox in March. Equinox literally means ‘equal night’ in Latin: it’s when we experience equal hours of day and night, roughly 12 hours of each, across the world.
Around the time of the autumn or spring equinox, the chances of northern lights sightings are particularly favourable, often with brighter and stronger displays on the cards to boot. It’s all thanks to changes in magnetic field of the solar wind – which causes the northern lights – and Earth’s own magnetic field reaching optimum configuration during an equinox. Very simply put, magnetic cracks open, solar particles are let in setting off auroral storm cycles and the chances of northern lights occurring increase. Although there is never any certainty of seeing the aurora, statistically, auroral activity is strong in the weeks around an equinox.
The science behind the aurora borealis has fascinated physicists and star gazers for centuries. But for most of us, causation is secondary to the visceral experience of witnessing these ethereal lights for yourself especially with the naked eye. It is the elusive nature of these lights that makes the hunt and anticipation of seeing them so tantalising. There’s no guarantee they’ll make an appearance, no matter how meticulous your trip planning, but travelling around one of the two equinoxes is a good place to start.
Why should I travel to see the northern lights in March?
Whether you’re up in Swedish Lapland visiting the Aurora Sky Station at Abisko or watching orca in Iceland – things are starting to warm up in March. As well as increasingly mild average temperatures, the ‘Kaamos’ (polar night) is over, and the regions have longer hours of daylight. More light means more time to take part in the many activities offered in these northern regions.
If you happy to travel last-minute, long term Kp forecasts track global geomagnetic conditions 27 days, while the standard forecast runs at 3 days. If you prefer a longer build-up, starting plan ahead and ensure you’re in a prime location next March. Whatever suits, here’s our pick of the places to see the northern lights during the spring equinox.
Iceland
When it comes to booking an aurora-hunting holiday, Iceland is hard to overlook. You can blend adventurous activities, relaxation and scenic road trips with excellent conditions for northern lights spotting. And typically, temperatures are milder than Scandinavia at the same time of year. Just a three-hour flight from the UK, a long weekend is very much doable – making it ideal for a last-minute aurora getaway this spring equinox.
If you’ve only a few days…
Northern Lights, Glaciers and Waterfalls is one of our most popular self-drives. Available from October to April, it’s a four-day trip that’s been designed with northern lights viewing in mind. Stay at Hotel Husafell, an irresistible bolthole in the west of Iceland surrounded by nature. By day you can explore natural wonders like Hraunfossar waterfall, nearby Langjokull glacier and the trio of sights that form the Golden Circle. As night falls, your focus shifts to the dark skies above this rural hotel in anticipation. You can even ask the hotel to give you a wake-up call if the aurora make an appearance in the small hours.
Alternatively, let an expert guide show you Iceland’s natural wonders on a 7-day exploration of the south and west. Explore the best of west and south as you discover Gullfoss, Thingvellir, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, the Blue Lagoon, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and black lava beaches.
Sweden
Wouldn’t it be wonderful, if there was somewhere way up north – say in Swedish Lapland – bang in the middle of the auroral oval (the sweet spot for the northern lights) where the night skies were usually clear and you could perhaps stand on top of a mountain, miles from any artificial light, to get a really good view of the night sky? Well, it just so happens that such a place does exist. It’s called Abisko National Park. Not only does Abisko have more nights of clear skies than anywhere in Europe, but its Aurora Sky Station provides the perfect grandstand for aurora seekers. A chairlift ride takes you to the top of the mountain, where you can spend the evening gazing skyward, with the option to dine at the station.
For a truly unique place to stay
Not far from Abisko, the Icehotel is both a bucket list place to stay, with its exquisitely sculpted ice suites, and also a hub for winter activities ranging from ice-sculpting to husky sledding and snowmobile safaris. Choose our Northern Lights, Abisko and Icehotel short break to combine both experiences.
Norway
Wide open spaces, hardly any light pollution and dramatic scenery is the north of Norway in a nutshell. It’s as good for northern lights viewing as it sounds. You’ll find excellent aurora excursions from the vibrant city of Tromso, or combine with a stay at the stylish fjordside resort of Malangen. For something out of the ordinary, head to Longyearbyen on the Svalbard archipelago. At stay in this remote, yet diverse and well facilitated town, provides a taste of life in the High Arctic. Though in March, the days are extending, the aurora can still be seen.
For immersion and relaxation…
Bookmark a Norwegian coastal voyage for spring equinox. It’s been described as the world’s most beautiful sea voyage – each day brings new vistas of fjords and mountains and shore excursions to explore towns and villages. At night, far away from light pollution you need only step out on deck under wide-open skies should the northern lights appear.
Finland
The northern lights are no stranger to Finnish Lapland, putting in an appearance roughly 200 times throughout the year, so statistics tell us. Head to the Finnish fells around the time of the equinox and it’s likely you’ll be in for a real treat. There’s some fantastic accommodation ranging from log cabins to specially designed aurora cabins that allow you to gaze at the aurora from the comfort – and warmth – of your bed. A host of winter activities from snowmobiling to husky sledding provide the daytime entertainment.
For a cosy place to stay…
Commanding felltop views, the resort at the heart of our Iso-Syote Winter Hideaway break is a best-seller and it’s easy to see why. Stay in a cosy log cabin with panoramic views of the lakes and forests of Syote National Park, complete with big skies and hardly any light pollution for the all-important aurora gazing.
Then again, you might prefer an inclusive escape at one of the collection of Wilderness Hotels we feature around Lake Inari. Meals and activities are included and you can choose accommodation to suit from hotel rooms to glass-roofed aurora cabins.
Canada
Further to travel and best combined with a longer touring holiday in early spring, the vast wilderness of Canada’s Yukon Territory provides a compelling location for an aurora adventure holiday. One of the country’s northern provinces extend deep into the Arctic Circle, with idyllic snow-covered scenery for the perfect backdrop to the northern lights.
To get away from it all…
The Yukon is remote, but right under the aurora oval, so you’re chances of being treated to the northern lights are good – all in the middle of the epic wilderness. Combine fun winter activities with charming lakeside accommodation in Canada’s frontier province.
Start planning your aurora adventure
Auroras and equinoxes go well together, but that doesn’t mean that the aurora will only occur at this time. Far from it. Northern lights sightings are possible any night around the auroral oval when the skies are dark enough and if the weather is compliant. It’s this unpredictability that helps to preserve the magic. More than anything, aurora hunting is about location, location, location. At Discover the World we’ve spent 40 years creating holidays to northern lights destinations from Iceland and Scandinavia to Canada that not only put you in the best locations for viewing this phenomenon but also showcase the destinations themselves.
Take a look at all our northern lights holidays or let our Travel Specialists help you plan your perfect aurora hunt. Give them a call on 01737 214 250 or send us an enquiry.