How to spot the northern lights in Lapland
Clear skies, patience and a little planning. Our guide to the best months, the right apps and where to stand to catch the aurora.
The aurora borealis is never guaranteed, but you can stack the odds heavily in your favour. It comes down to three things: darkness, clear skies and solar activity. Lapland sits right under the auroral oval, so on a clear night between September and March your chances are good.
Pick the right weeks
Late September to October and February to March combine long dark nights with milder temperatures and more settled weather. Midwinter works too, but you will spend more time layering up than looking up.
Get away from the lights
Even a small village glows enough to wash out a faint display. Walk ten minutes to a frozen lake or a hill facing north, let your eyes adjust for twenty minutes and keep your phone screen dimmed.
- Aurora forecast app — Watch the Kp index and local cloud cover, not just one of them.
- Warm layers — Thermal base layer, down jacket, hat, mittens and warm boots.
- Tripod — Phones need a few seconds of exposure to capture the colours.
