Northern lights viewing is best done during certain times of the year. Aurora strength and activity increases when the Sun releases more of the solar wind and particles that push electrons through our atmosphere. It takes just a few days for these particles and energies to strike the Earth, meaning there is a brief delay between increased solar activity, and increased strength of aurora activity. But the connection is always there.

There are also Northern Lights viewing forecasts by day. Scientists monitor activity from the Sun and in our own atmosphere and can give a good idea of what kind of aurora activity will come each day. The connection between solar activity and aurora activity is direct, and we can tell when the Northern Lights viewing will be especially good, when the auroras will be bright, or visible from more Southern areas.

Guided Tours for Northern Lights Viewing
The Northern Lights are constantly in motion. There are, of course, certain strategies and places to visit for getting the best views. Contacting a local tour agency would probably help, as they have a great deal of experience taking people to see the Northern Lights from the best vantage points.

Another helpful strategy is to keep up on the "space weather" forecasts that give a sense of solar activity and how it will affect aurora activity. However, please do keep in mind that no prediction is ever one hundred percent certain. Daylight can always get in the way, for instance, making the aurora very difficult to see. It is daylight most of the time during the summer, after all, when you're most likely to visit the region to avoid the staggering cold.

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