can you see the northern lights in alaska in july

It's no surprise that with Fairbanks' location, it is frequently referred to as the best place to see the northern lights in Alaska, the United States and in many cases, across the globe. Yes, you can see the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, from Anchorage - but not in the summer. To see the northern lights, two things need to happen: Clear, dark skies and solar wind activity. Aurora Borealis can only be seen from a few places in the world. The flickering lights can be spotted anywhere in the state, including its largest city of Anchorage and other places in the south. Best time to witness the Northern Lights. While the aurora can appear over every part of Alaska, from Barrow to Ketchikan, the chances improve with latitude. Our favorite click-bait article title of the last year has … In Glacier National Park, you can observe polar lights at any time of the year. As you’ll learn in this section, if you try to visit Alaska during the wrong season, your chances to see the northern lights are nil. "Seeing it in summer is difficult because the sky is too bright in Alaska," Lummerzheim wrote in an email to Alaska Dispatch. However, the longer nights of late fall, winter, and early spring offer the best chances to watch an unbelievable light show. The glow comes from the collision of charged particles in solar wind with oxygen and nitrogen molecules in the earth's atmosphere. Alaska Tour & Travel uses cookies to track your trip selections and favorites. To that end, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute has created a handy guide for viewing the aurora during the northern summer. Planned tours like the Fall Arctic Circle Aurora Fly/Drive Adventure capitalize on the far northern locale and true night sky. NOAA also has some tips on viewing aurora with links to maps that show where it can be seen. There’s a feeling of undeserved shame that comes with visiting Alaska in the winter and not seeing the northern lights. The most reliable chances to see Alaska’s northern lights (also known as the Aurora Borealis) are in Fairbanks, and above the Arctic Circle.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.. For more information about the northern lights, plus today's forecast, check out the University of Alaska Fairbanks Aurora Forecaster. One look at the starry sky streaked with the colors of the aurora borealis, and you will immediately see why thousands of people plan vacations each year to beautiful, remote destinations, hoping for a chance to see this natural phenomenon in person. Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) The aurora is a beautiful, if hard to predict, phenomenon, that occurs year-round. During the winter, peak times are between 11:30 p.m. and 3:30 a.m. In the winter, many people recommend heading north to get a better glimpse at the northern lights, but the opposite is true during summer. That is why, if you’re booking a cruise based on the Best Time to see the Northern Lights in Alaska, we advise you to do so in May or September. As a bonus, hotels and transportation typically offer discounted shoulder season rates during this time. "The higher the Kp index, the farther to the south the aurora extends," Lummerzheim wrote. All rights reserved. Northern Lights in Barrow. When is the best time to come to Alaska to see the Northern Lights? The Northern Lights can be seen from most places in Alaska at some point during the dark season between September and April, and there are many good viewing sites near Anchorage. Probably not, for two main reasons: First, too much daylight this time of year, and even in the middle of the short night it’s not all that dark. Alaska is Open for Travel! For the opportunity to see the Northern Lights, the Evening Aurora Pursuit is available on Alaska Cruisetours in mid- and late August on Celebrity Millenium. To up your chances of seeing the lights, you need to travel in Alaska when the nights are dark. It reflects their confidence in seeing the northern lights. It needs to be clear. Aurora Borealis can only be seen from a few places in the world. Like in the winter, seeing the aurora in summer is a crapshoot -- it takes the right blend of conditions and a strong-enough solar storm to precipitate appearance of the aurora at southerly latitudes, farther from the north pole. For the very best chance to see the northern lights, come to Alaska in the winter. Where to see the northern lights? You can see the aurora while it's still light out, but not fully light. Alaska cruisetours are the ideal way to explore the state’s stunning interior and extend your Alaska cruise vacation. That Northern Lights Guarantee could be important. Which makes the summertime aurora an even more elusive beast. Solar Cycle 25, lasting through 2030, is predicted to short on the types of solar activity that causes auroras. Only in the fall, winter and early spring, however, is there enough darkness to allow us to see the northern lights when they occur. By the time the sun starts hanging around for 18-20 hours per day, everybody pretty much gives up on northern lights for the season. The intensity of the northern lights -- and thus the likelihood of being able to see them in the "off season" -- is measured on a kp-index scale that ranges from zero to nine. The best time to witness the Northern Lights is in the dead of winter, from 11:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m., with peaks around 1:30 or 2:30 a.m. Learn More >, Alaska Tour & Travel In fact, Fairbanks is often voted as one of the top ten places in the world to witness the brilliant green waves of light. If you want to take advantage of summer activities and the possibility of northern lights, plan a trip in late August or early September. The area surrounding Fairbanks is one of the best, if not the best, places to view the Northern Lights in Alaska. If you don't see the northern lights, they'll give you another cruise. Several aurora tours operate out of Fairbanks in the winter season. Just 150 miles south of the Arctic Circle, the city of Fairbanks is ideal for Northern Lights … Long nights and more stable weather that leads to clearer nights give may hours of viable viewing time. “Iceland is a favourite because you can sometimes see volcanoes too,” he says. For the very best chance to see the northern lights, come to Alaska in the winter. Can you see the northern lights from Anchorage? Though most Northern Lights hunters head to Europe to catch the majestic lights, Alaska is also an ideal and less conventional destination. With wildlife fully active, all trails accessible, long days and Alaska’s warmest average temperatures, July can be the best month to visit Alaska. Summer is not an option. The farther south, the better chance you have of stumbling upon northern lights. However, some say you can catch a brief glimpse of the Northern Lights 240 nights a year, especially during March, September and October. Those particles hit the earth's magnetic field and spiral to the poles, their chance of colliding with gas molecules increasing as they get deeper into the atmosphere. This is because it’s perfectly situated under the Auroral Oval – the region that consistently has the most solar storm activity. Also Know, can you see the Aurora Borealis in Alaska? Fairbanks. Contact Ben Anderson at ben(at)alaskadispatch.com. Alaska's northern lights season is between mid-September and late April, peaking in March, though it’s a season defined more by its long, dark nights than by solar activity. The Perfect Plan for … Anchorage's bright starry nights are natures perfect backdrop for dancing northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis. But conditions must be right! If you went to the 49th state during aurora season — August 21 through April 21st — you can bet people will excitedly ask you, “Did you see the northern lights?” and wait hopefully for your response. There are many different ways you can hunt for the aurora. The also offer a page on rental cars for Barrow. Where and When Can You See the Northern Lights? In other words, people have seen the aurora from about mid August through about the first of May. But in Fairbanks, for example, the sky never gets dark enough during the 8-10 weeks surrounding solstice to see even very bright aurora.". The Best Places to see the Northern Lights in Alaska Updated February 2021, Best Places to see the Northern Lights in Alaska was originally written in January 2020 For many people, seeing the northern lights is a major bucketlist item. But looking for the aurora is always a game of chance -- even nights predicted for good viewing don't always pan out. Views are best from September to … 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.In fact, Fairbanks is often voted as one of the top ten places in the world to witness the brilliant green waves of light. Activities Your Guide to Seeing the Northern Lights in Alaska in 2020 & Beyond Northern Lights Trip Guide. #2. It has to be closer to dusk, which is more or less out of the question during the peak of Alaska's daylight hours from June through July. It takes a particularly strong set of magnetic disturbances in Earth's atmosphere to overcome the impediment of long days. 3900 Arctic Blvd, Ste 304 The peak times are from around an hour before midnight to around an hour after. And then, of course, we would need a fairly active aurora, so that it does move south.". While the lights are unpredictable, it’s best to stay up late to increase your odds of seeing them. As Alaska flight options multiply, here’s what looks good — and what doesn’t, Alaska will offer COVID-19 vaccines to tourists starting June 1, Supreme Court takes up case on virus relief funding for Alaska Native corporations, Anchorage Assembly meeting erupts in heated exchange between Rivera and Allard, 2021 Top Forty under 40 recognizes young professionals across Alaska. See the latest on Alaska’s, Fall Arctic Circle Aurora Fly/Drive Adventure. Alaska’s Northern Lights season is between mid-September and late-April, peaking in February and March.. Fairbanks is located right below the auroral zone, and is known for its consistently clear skies due to its low precipitation. While predicting the aurora isn't an exact science, visitors who want to see the northern lights will have a better chance if they're traveling in, or north, of Fairbanks when the weather is clearest and the sky is darkest. He left the ADN in 2017. For the most part, it means that aurora viewing is going to be "very limited" anywhere north of Anchorage from mid-May until August. 800-208-0200 or 907-245-0200. If you want know when the best time to go see the Northern Lights in Alaska is, we've got you covered! You can spot absolutely stunning aurora borealis displays in September or October, as well as March or April. This results in what's known as the aurora oval, a ring of statistically high auroral activity. This makes April through September the best time to cruise to Alaska to see the northern lights, especially near the autumnal and vernal equinoxes, when activity peaks. And can we see them all year long? Even Anchorage is far enough south to miss out on many displays. Visitors to Juneau, Alaska's capital city, might have better luck since daylight hours are a little less extreme there in the summer. When it comes to where you could go, Rodney recommends northern spots like Fairbanks, Alaska, Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Churchill in Canada, and Iceland and northern Norway. The Northern Lights are most active between September and April, with the highest activity often occurring in March. The best time to look for the shimmering lights is between midnight and 2 am. Anchorage, AK 99503 You can see the aurora while it's still light … Combine that with a higher chance of clear skies in Alaska during spring, and March at an inland location is the best time and place to maximize your chances of seeing the Northern Lights from Alaska. For the most part, it means that aurora viewing is going to be "very limited" anywhere north of Anchorage from mid-May until August. The main auroral band usually crosses the state in an arc north of the Alaska Range. That could be anytime between late August and late April. What type of info are you specifically looking for? The days are too long and the nights really never get dark (which just means more daylight hours for Alaska adventures). You need to get far from city lights. Best time to view northern lights. Viewing a great aurora depends upon solar activity, cloud cover, moon phase and proximity to light pollution. In the most intense Northern Lights area (notably Alaska, Iceland, Northern Scandinavia and Yukon), the lights are observed from late August to mid April. For many people, the answer to the question “When is the best time to go to Alaska?” is July. Alaska Cruisetours to See the Northern Lights. Autumn (August to October) As the summer winds down, days become shorter and cooler. But that has its own difficulties, notes Dirk Lummerzheim of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute. July in Alaska. The Inn is located across from the Alaska Airlines Barrow terminal, and you can check out their web site for more information. 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. Several aurora tours operate out of Fairbanks in the winter season. "(Southeast) Alaska would definitely work, but the weather there tends to be too cloudy. And, of course, the universe itself has to cooperate, as supercharged particles ejected from the sun interact with the Earth's thermosphere in just the right way to produce celestial light shows when viewed from below. Book Now with no risk, your deposit is fully refundable until 31 days prior to travel with the purchase of our Worry-Free Cancellation Waiver. Northern Lights in Fairbanks. The Northern Lights aren’t going to disappear. © 2021 Anchorage Daily News. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center offers a 3-day kp-index forecast, and the aurora-centric website Soft Serve News has predictions within 10 minutes. But overall, he has some pretty simple … They’re elusive, require (usually expensive) travel to far northern latitudes (and southern too! When to Visit Alaska for the Northern Lights. So this interior city and the surrounding area (including Chena Hot Springs) is probably the state’s sweet spot for northern lights viewing. Second, Seward and Homer are not prime Aurora viewing locations. However, from late September to late March, it is dark after 6pm, and one enjoys maximum chances. This translates into a busy time for The Great Land, with a swell of visitors. That oval crosses right over Interior and Far North Alaska. The aurora actually occurs all year long, but the sky needs to be clear and dark to see it. Long nights and more stable weather that leads to clearer nights give may hours of viable viewing time. The sky needs to be dark in order to see the lights and during the peak of the summer it can stay light up to 20 hours a day. Ben Anderson is a former writer and editor for Alaska Dispatch News. Your chances of seeing the northern lights will be much greater in Barrow if you … ), and difficult to predict. Any journeys here will have a great chance of featuring some green-tinged skies. "It also gets brighter. 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