Why you should visit alaska in september alaska tour jobs. Plan your northern lights alaska cruise now to catch the stunning display in its full glory. The most reliable chances to see alaskas northern lights also known as the aurora borealis are in fairbanks, and above the arctic circle. The northern lights tracker gives realtime and threeday forecasts of aurora data correlated to six different locations near fairbanks, alaska. Alaska is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights, or aurora borealis, dancing overhead. Is one week better than the other for better odds of seeing the aurora. Thick blankets of snow make for pristine landscapes, and long dark nights are the perfect stage for dazzling displays of the aurora borealis. We enjoyed many months of the incredible midnight sun and now for the first time in over 90 days we are getting real sunsets that lead to. Primetime for nothern lights viewing has passed, but there are still ways to track down the aurora borealis in the alaska summertime if you know where, or when, to go. The state of alaska happens to be one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights, scientifically known as the aurora borealis. The aurora borealis is a staple of alaskan winters, as common as. Alaska center for the performing artssydney laurence theatre. All combined these variables make the fairbanks region an outstanding destination for possible aurora borealis viewing. Enjoy alaskas finest aurora borealis ever captured on film.
Aurora forecast geophysical institute university of alaska. Caused by supercharged solar particles colliding with the earths atmosphere, these ethereal streamers of green, white, purple, blue and even red light draw awestruck travelers from all over the world. Areas near the magnetic north pole see the most brilliant displays, which become more intense as the temperature drops. Fairbanks aurora season is from august 21 to april 21 and the aurora will be visible in fairbanks an average of four out of five nights when the sky is clear and. Winter in alaska isnt for everyone but those who set forth with a sense of adventure and a warm jacket are rewarded with a true winter wonderland. Its a myth that you must travel to the state only during the deep winter, when darkness can last 1618 hours per day. Mar 05, 2018 march is not the only month to see the northern lights in the aurora borealis season, but it is one of the most geomagnetically active solar months of the year. For the best chance on seeing the aurora borealis, come visit during the prime viewing season between september and march.
Combine your aurora viewing trip with a few other highlights planned out by salmon. Travel alaska things to do come see the northern lights. Given the right conditions and viewing locale, these dancing bars of light might shimmer right over head, ranging from subtle green columns to vast red curtains that fill the entire sky. Aurora borealis alaskas northern lights pictures cbs news. Welcome to my gallery of aurora borealis the northern lights. Best time to see aurora borealis in alaska simply put, the best time to see the aurora borealis is during cold months. Explore fairbanks, alaska aurora borealis, midnight sun. We are alaska s premiere northern lights and winter wilderness adventure tours. Dec 11, 2018 on the last night of the tour, guests will travel to the chena hot springs and spend the evening watching for aurora borealis.
Day tour by bus to see aurora borealis the northern lights out of fairbanks, ak. Fairbanks aurora season is from august 21 to april 21. Head to these 17 incredible places in alaska to view the northern lights. During one of our tours last season, the best auroras weve ever experienced played out across the night sky just as the setting sun was settling into bed on. In fairbanks, alaska, tourism officials market a northern lights season from aug. The best time to visit alaska for the aurora borealis. Aurora dora piled into her car and, with a shrug of a smile, drove off. Alaskas northern lights season is between midseptember and late april, peaking in march, though its a season defined more for its long, dark nights than for solar activity. Magnetometers provide an alternative view of the level of geomagnetic disturbance occurring.
If you want to give yourself the gift of adventure this holiday season, you can spend christmas under the northern lights beginning on christmas eve dec. Though we are a relatively new aurora tour service, we are no strangers to the alaska visitor industry, with over 30 years experience guiding folks on multiday wilderness tours across alaska and russia during the warm weather season. We are alaskas premiere northern lights and winter wilderness adventure tours. Best places to see northern lights north america hypebae. While many travelers think they have to head to canada or northern europe to see the northern lights, you can. The aurora tracker is a oneofakind tool for predicting the chances of seeing the northern lights during aurora season, august 21 april 21 if traveling or in the fairbanks, alaska area. This video composed of still images and timelapse gives a nice picture of the good fortune we have living in fairbanks, alaska where. The aurora borealis, also called the northern lights, is a phenomenon of visual wonder that has captured the imagination of people for centuries. Its the most wonderful time of the year in the last frontier aurora borealis season. 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.
Appreciate any guidancewe realize that the weather and aurora have to cooperate here thank you. Weather permitting, lowlevel displays will be visible overhead from utqiagvik to fairbanks and visible low on the. Alaskas northern lights season is between midseptember and late april, peaking in march, though thats to do more with the long, dark nights. During aurora season august 21april 21 in the fairbanks region, the aurora borealis also known as the northern lights, almost always appears when the sky is relatively dark and clear. The aurora forecast is updated daily at midnight utc. Aurora borealis realtime tracker explore fairbanks alaska. Now you know the basics, so its time to start planning a trip to alaska to see the northern lights for. Aug 16, 20 experience the majestic phenomenon that is the aurora borealis. Feb 27 mar 4, 2020 an opportunity to watch the northern lights dance across the night sky above the 49th state.
Your definitive guide to seeing the northern lights in alaska in 2020. The best time to see the northern lights on an alaska cruise. Aurora borealis photos, resources and natural history. Braving the cold is nothing if you get a chance to see the lights dancing and waving overhead. Alaska and aurora borealis feb 27 march 4, 2020 the planetary. The alaska aurora borealis, or northern lights, are glimmering ribbons of color that flash across the northern sky and leave all who see it with a sense of wonder and a feeling of being touched by some mystical force. Nov 21, 2019 heading to alaska to see the aurora borealis. From midseptember to late april, when you have the best chance of witnessing phenomenon of the aurora borealis, youll fly from fairbanks to the remote village of coldfoot, in the brooks mountain range. In fact, fairbanks is often voted as one of the top ten places in the world to. The aurora borealis is among the best reasons to come to alaska in september. Travel alaska top things to do in fairbanks chase the.
Mar 29, 2018 the aurora borealis is a staple of alaskan winters, as common as moose, down skirts and frosted beards. Forecasting the northern lights means predicting solar activity, which is virtually impossible with our current technology. Having said that, there is so much to see and do in northern scandinavia that 24 hours of. The most reliable chances to see alaska s northern lights also known as the aurora borealis are in fairbanks, and above the arctic circle. Alaskas northern lights season is between midseptember and late april, peaking in march, though its a season defined more by its long, dark. Less than an hour from the city of fairbanks, borealis basecamp is not a destination, it is an experience. Preferably situated under the aurora oval, reduced rains as well as an inland location add to plenty of, clear winter nights, as well as exceptional viewing throughout a lengthy aurora season august 21 with april 21. During these swing months, we recommend the all night aurora tour, pick up 10. Heres a guide on when, where and how to see the northern lights. Its easy when the inky night sky comes alive with an amazing light show like the aurora borealis. The aurora borealis tracker correlates aurora forecast, weather conditions and time of day to determine aurora viewing possibilities in multiple locations.
Aurora season is officially in full swing and weve gathered the best places to view the stunning northern lights aurora borealis in north america. During the summer months of may, june and july it is just too bright to see them in the far northland. And, since were the airline with the most flights to alaska, we know a thing or two about seeing this natural wonder. Churchill, manitoba has one of the heaviest concentrations of auroral activity on earth, making it an ideal destination for a northern lights tour. The best strategy to see the northern lights is to hang out for a few days in a prime location coldfoot. Want to get the best look at the dancing, dazzling display known as the aurora borealis. Includes guided ground tour one way, flight oneway, and overnight accommodations. During very large auroral events, the aurora may be seen throughout the u. Alaska cruises to see the northern lights usa today.
The answer is not a busy hotel, because the northern lights show to their best advantage where. Guests can book this travel itinerary through march 2019. The northern lights also called the aurora borealis are the name for the aurora when viewed from the northern hemisphere. Enjoy alaska s finest aurora borealis ever captured on film. Nov, 2017 northern alaska is where many americans head for the chance to see the aurora borealis. Alaska aurora borealis northern lights guide with photos. Aurora prediction and northern lights forecast aurora hunter. Depending upon cloud cover and weather, alaska nights can be dark enough to highlight great auroras between midaugust through midapril. Northern lights tours in alaska best aurora viewing vacations. September and october are usually the only months when the northern lights are visible at the same time as the lakes and rivers remain icefree. Crafted exclusively to maximize northern lights viewing and comfort, these domes are. 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. Because of its location under an auroral oval, fairbanks is one of the worlds best places to watch the aurora borealis light up the night.
The northern lights and aurora borealis are names for a phenomenon that technically occurs all around the world, but specifically refers to visible lights usually seen only in the northernmost parts of the world. This video composed of still images and timelapse gives a nice picture of the good fortune we have living in fairbanks, alaska. Aurora borealis can only be seen from a few places in the world. The viewing season lasts almost seven months, so the best time to seek the aurora really depends upon what else you want to do during your visit. The dancing lights can appear on any dark, clear night in alaska although the prime aurora season is from midaugust to midapril.
My friends at northern alaska tour company say coldfoot is just in the right place, the arctic ova, where the lights are born. Your guide to seeing the northern lights in alaska smithsonian. Alaska s northern lights season is between midseptember and late april, peaking in march, though its a season defined more. The beauty of this is that you will often see the northern lights overhead and reflected in open water at the same time. While there are no guarantees that the northern lights show will happen on any particular night, northern lights trips are typically best made in late fall and winterearly spring, though they can be seen throughout the winter months on nights with clear skies. Combine this with the often clear and cold skies in fairbanks, alaska and you have at least the beginning recipe for seeing the aurora borealis.
I went to alaska in winter to see the northern lights. Where to see the northern lights in alaska westmark hotels. Fairbanks aurora season is from august 21 to april 21 and the aurora will be visible in fairbanks an average of four out of five nights when the sky is clear and dark enough. Enjoy the aurora borealis season in fairbanks, alaska. Alaskas northern lights season is between midseptember and late april, peaking in march, though thats to do more with the long, dark nights than solar activity. Many of the people trekking north to alaska in winter come to witness the aurora borealis. As an avid aurora chaser i dont like to miss a show. The ethereal northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, meaning north wind of the dawn, brighten the night sky in a mystical display of color. Best week for aurora viewing in march 2020 fairbanks.
The natural light show is brightest in the fall and winter months. Alaska airlines can help you save on your wanderlust goals with our newest flight deals. Combined with a slight preference for better weather in spring than in fall, this means that late february to early april are usually considered the best aurora viewing months in alaska. The mustsee presentation in anchorage, aurora alaska s great northern lights. Fairbanks aurora season is from august 21 to april 21 and the aurora will be visible in fairbanks an average of four out of five nights when. Alaska train will take you through the northern lights. Northern lights experience fairbanks, alaska youtube. The 21 best places to see the northern lights in alaska. The best time to view the aurora borealis also known as the northern lights is during the winter months in fairbanks, alaska. I rushed for my camera, and in those first latenight and early morning hours, i began a pursuit for aurora borealis photos that has yet to end.
Your guide to seeing the northern lights in alaska travel. Aurora borealis season in northern polar latitudes alaska, northern canada, greenland, iceland, norway, sweden, finland and siberia runs from augustthruapril. Would the 21st28th march be too late in the season after the vernal equinox to really see the northern lights, despite the darkness of new moon that entire week. If youve dreamed of seeing the glowing colors of the aurora borealis light up the night sky, and lets face it, who hasnt, you are probably wondering where is the best place to see the northern lights. Its aurora season in alaska s far north alaska travelgram. Unfortunately for alaska visitors who want to go on a cruise and see the northern lights, the cruise season and aurora viewing season do not overlap. Our arctic circle aurora adventures spend multiple nights in coldfoot, alaska directly under the aurora oval. Your guide to seeing the northern lights in alaska. The arctic circle aurora overnight adventure departs from fairbanks by land or air and offers optional aurora viewing, dog sledding, and brooks mountain range excursions from your base camp at coldfoot, alaska. Many travelers come to alaska to see the aurora borealis, more commonly called the northern lights. Learn the fascinating story of alaska s arctic from your guide. The best time to see the northern lights on an alaska. March is not the only month to see the northern lights in the aurora borealis season, but it is one of the most geomagnetically active solar months of the year. How to see the northern lights in alaska from home.
If you seek adventure and unforgettable experiences, seeing the northern lights is probably on your bucket list. Prime viewing is in early fall, late winter, and early springas in. Visit the arctic circle and see the trans alaska pipeline before northern lights tour. The incredible natural phenomenon of the aurora borealis, or northern lights, is only visible in the far northern hemisphere. Experience the majestic phenomenon that is the aurora borealis. To see the northern lights you need dark skies and from earlyapril until lateaugust, the aurora may be blazing across the arctic firmament but it is visible only to scientific equipment, as the skies are just too light for the human eye to see the show. During one of our tours last season, the best auroras weve ever experienced played out across the night sky just as the setting sun was settling into. These images and videos should give you a feel for what its like to be under the dark skies and aurora. The aurora borealis, or northern lights, have been dancing across the lofty latitudes of alaska for as long as the earth has been dancing around the sun. The brighter the aurora forecast, the greater the alaska airlines discount.
Where is the best place to see the northern lights. Areas near the magnetic north pole see the most brilliant displays, which become more intense as the temperature d. Northern lights tours in alaska best aurora viewing. Aurora overnight adventure northern alaska tour company. Because of extended daylight hours in alaska, late spring and early fall aurora tours will have adjusted pick up times. Scientifically speaking, the aurora is dancing above yearround, but we can only see it during the aurora season when we have dark enough skies. If you visit alaska in november, december or january. Stay overnight in exclusive fiberglass domes similar to those utilized by polar expeditions and research stations. However, if you want to see the wildlife indenali national park and the glaciers of kenai fjords national park in addition to the aurora borealis then i would recommend visiting alaska in early to midseptember. Northern lights season in alaska alaska s northern lights season is between midseptember and late april, peaking in march, though thats to.
The southern lights the aurora australis are the exact same phenomenon when viewed in the southern hemisphere. A sudden steep change in the magnetometer is usually an indicator that an extended period 0. Viewing northern lights in the bright alaska summer. Borealis basecamp, northern lights viewing winter alaska. How to see the northern lights in fairbanks, alaska alaska. Simply put, the best time to see the aurora borealis is during cold months.
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