What are the best regions to see the northern lights?

Iceland

Iceland sits squarely beneath the auroral oval, and despite its northern latitude, temperatures rarely get colder than 15F-20F in most coastal/lower elevation locations. This combined with relative ease of travel from the central/eastern United States and Europe along with spectacular and varied land/seascapes makes Iceland a premiere northern light destination. Challenges include frequent cloudy skies/storms, high winds, and high local expenses.

Alaska

Alaska is another top destination for aurora viewing and photography with most of the state positioned within the auroral oval. This US state offers relatively easy access for western US/Canadian travelers, more clear skies on average (especially interior regions) than other highlighted destinations, vast wilderness, and varied/beautiful landscapes. Challenges include limited accessibility to much of the state, vast distances between populated areas, occasional high winds (especially in the south), and deep snow/extreme cold in winter.

Canada

Canada offers vast stretches of pristine wilderness beneath the auroral oval. Similar to Alaska, Canada offers almost endless territory, but the vast majority is very hard or essentially impossible to access via roads or airports. The southern parts of the country that border the USA are populated and very easy to visit, but these areas are too far south to see the lights on a consistent basis. The rare combination of auroral oval locations and relatively easy access would be confined to Yellowknife- NW territories, Fort McMurray-Alberta, Churchill-Manitoba, and the areas around these locations. Although south of the official oval (and therefore needing active conditions), the Banff Area (just west of Calgary) gets an honorable mention due to gorgeous landscapes.

Scandinavia + Finland

Scandinavia and Finland together form one of the most accessible and reliable aurora viewing regions in the world. Unlike Alaska and Canada with most of those regions out of reach, the central and northern sections of these countries are fairly populated and well connected with roads, amenities, and airports. The main obstacles (other than weather) would be latitude and light pollution. Outside of greater Tromso, Bodo, and few other town/city centers, light pollution is reasonable (or low) and the scenery stunning along the coast. The coastal areas are more mild in the winter, however storms and cloudy skies are extremely common. Inland (where many aurora tours venture), tend to offer clearer skies (and colder temperatures).

Can you see the northern lights in the USA?

So, you might be thinking, chasing in polar/arctic regions sounds like a lot of work (and you would not be wrong), can I just look out my window and see the lights if I live in the continental US? Complicated answer, and will try to give you a brief overview using the map below to explain. For a much more detailed guide, you can purchase my PDF light chasing guide or book here (book link).

• South of 30°N: Enjoy the warm winter weather at home and start planning a full chase if you want to see the lights. Approximately 2-4 times a decade near 30N there is some ‘subtle’ form of aurora visible away from light pollution and on the northern horizon. However if possible, book your plane tickets to one of the regions mentioned above!
• 30°N – 35°N: Similar overall idea as south of 30N, with a kicker. Although still only visible a handful of times per decade, the shows can be more impressive (again on the northern horizon and away for light pollution). If there is a severe/extreme solar storm forecasted (KP 8/9) get your gear ready and head out, but outside of that, Expedia is calling.
• 35°N – 40°N: “So, you telling me there’s a chance”…as the famous quote goes. In this zone, although seeing aurora remains very rare, it does occur. Here (especially near 40N), some form of light activity can be seen roughly 1-3 times per year. Northern horizon with minimal light pollution is still essential, but if KP6/KP7 or higher is the forecast, worth getting the batteries charged.
• 40°N – 45°N: Now we start getting serious. Once north of 40N and especially towards 45N, lights although not ‘common’ are not rare either. On average in this zone, sightings range from 2-4 times per year near the southern border to a couple times per month near 45N. Again, most of these will be more ‘subtle’ and in the northern 3rd of the sky, but if there is KP5/kp6 forecasted (especially with other favorable metrics), get out there! If there is a severe/extreme storm forecast, light shows in this region can rival the shows seen in the regions highlighted above with brilliant colors, movement, and overhead displays.
• 45°N – 50°N: When at the border regions of Canada (49N once west of the great lakes) some form of aurora activity occurs on a semi-regular basis. Not in the auroral oval by any means, but there is some form of activity seen several times per month on average. Even a KP of 3/4 with other favorable metrics can produce northern sky/horizon activity and once to KP5+, usually a good show is in store. Anything at or above a KP6, the show can be comparable to ‘northern light destination’ locations. That said I would not do a dedicated chase this far south, although if in the area anyway, would certainly bring my gear.