Northern Lights Guide to Lapland

The Northern Lights are my favorite thing about Lapland. The vibrant colors light up the sky, creating a magical experience you'll never forget. With its clear winter nights and remote landscapes, Lapland offers some of the best opportunities to see this.

What Are the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, are a natural light show caused by particles from the sun colliding with the Earth's magnetic field. These collisions create dancing lights in the sky, often in shades of green, pink, and purple. The most common color is green, but under stronger solar activity, you might also see red or violet hues. The experience of seeing the Northern Lights is mesmerizing, as the colors appear to move and swirl, lighting up the night sky in a truly magical display.

When Can You See Northern Lights in Lapland?

The best time to witness the Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland is between late August and early April. The long, dark nights of winter offer the perfect backdrop for the auroras. The optimal conditions for viewing include clear skies and minimal light pollution. Statistically, you have a high chance of spotting the aurora on any clear night in Lapland during this season. Peak activity usually occurs between 10 PM and 3 AM, but the auroras can appear at any time when the sky is dark enough.

Where Can You See Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland?

Lapland is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights, and several areas stand out for their aurora-watching potential:

• Saariselkä: A popular destination with wide, open skies and minimal artificial light. Saariselkä also offers accommodations with glass-roofed igloos designed for aurora viewing.
• Rovaniemi: The capital of Lapland, although busier, offers good aurora visibility outside the city.
• Levi and Ylläs: Both are ski resorts with great opportunities for combining skiing with Northern Lights hunting.
• Kilpisjärvi and Utsjoki: Located in the far north of Lapland, these remote areas offer the best chances for uninterrupted aurora sightings thanks to the lack of light pollution.

Which Apps Should You Download?

To enhance your chances of spotting the Northern Lights, downloading an aurora forecast app is highly recommended. These apps provide real-time data on solar activity and cloud cover, helping you determine the best times for viewing. Here are some popular apps to consider:

• My Aurora Forecast: Provides detailed aurora activity forecasts, alerts, and real-time notifications.
• Aurora Alerts Northern Lights: Tracks aurora activity and sends alerts when the lights are visible in your area.
• Aurora Forecast: Simple to use with easy-to-read data on solar wind activity and cloud cover.
• Yr.no: A reliable weather forecasting app for checking cloud coverage, an essential factor for clear aurora sightings.

Conclusion

Witnessing the Northern Lights in Lapland is a magical experience that should be on every traveler’s bucket list. With the right timing, a bit of patience, and careful planning, you’ll have a good chance of catching these stunning displays. Use the apps to stay updated, choose your location wisely, and bundle up to enjoy one of the most breathtaking phenomena the Arctic has to offer. For more detailed information about the Northern Lights, including the best times, exact locations, and tips for viewing, check out my guide, which offers a comprehensive section dedicated to this magical phenomenon.