If witnessing the aurora borealis (northern lights) is on your bucket list, now is the time to look up: experts predict that 2024 will be an exceptional year for spotting this elusive light show.

While this natural phenomenon is typically visible around the Arctic Circle, this year’s conditions could make the auroras visible across much of the US and Europe. Here’s everything you need to know.

What is the aurora borealis (northern lights)? 

“Auroras occur when charged particles from the sun interact with the Earth’s magnetic field,” explains Dr. Shannon Schmoll, director of the Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University. “This interaction excites gas atoms in our atmosphere, causing them to release light as they return to their normal state.” Different gases produce various colors, creating a celestial display that can range from green to purple, blue, red, or yellow.

This phenomenon happens within an area known as the “auroral oval” or “auroral zone.” Typically, in the Northern Hemisphere, this region covers high-latitude areas such as Alaska, Northern Canada, Russia, and the Nordics. However, the zone can shift based on the strength of solar storms, which send vast amounts of charged particles towards Earth. Scientists predict that the sun is gearing up for an active season of solar storms.

What’s unique about the northern lights in 2024?

Dr. Schmoll indicates that the sun is expected to reach “solar maximum”—the peak of its 11-year solar cycle—sometime between 2024 and 2025. This period represents the highest level of solar activity.

Currently, solar activity is at its highest in about 20 years, echoing the Great Halloween Storms of 2003, which made the northern lights visible as far south as Florida, Texas, and the Mediterranean.

The most intense storm on record is the Carrington Event of 1859, which allowed the auroras to be seen as far south as Mexico. If the sun produces a similar solar flare, Earth could be in for a spectacular display. However, solar activity is unpredictable, and there’s no guarantee of seeing the aurora borealis from lower latitudes, so it’s best not to spend sleepless nights staring at the sky.

How to see the northern lights in 2024

Even if you embark on a high-end aurora expedition, there’s no guarantee of witnessing the solar spectacle. However, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) offers several tips to improve your chances.

First, avoid bright lights, as city glow can obscure the aurora. Your best bet is to visit an International Dark Sky Park or Sanctuary, where skies are exceptionally dark. In the US, notable locations include Glacier National Park in Montana, Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Michigan, and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine. These sites are sufficiently north to possibly catch this year’s solar storms.

Traveling during a crescent moon can also boost your odds. Check the 2024 moon calendar and plan your trip for when the moon is at its least visible.

Timing is crucial, too. Aurora viewing is best from 10 pm to 2 am local time, though this can vary by season. The spring and fall equinoxes (March and September) are ideal due to stronger solar winds. In summer, the Arctic’s midnight sun can hinder your chances.

Clear skies and a solar storm are essential, though you can’t control these factors. Using weather apps like NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center or the My Aurora Forecast and Alerts app can offer guidance, but perfect accuracy is not guaranteed.

Ultimately, location is key. “While seeing the auroras farther south is more likely during solar maximum, heading north will always increase your chances,” says Schmoll. While you might hope for a display in Ireland or Idaho, for the best chance, start planning a trip to the Arctic.

The 5 best places to see the northern lights in 2024

1. Visit the remote Westfjords in Iceland

Situated on the southern edge of the Arctic Circle, Iceland is a prime destination for aurora seekers. Many visitors head south, hoping to catch the northern lights as they dance over Diamond Beach’s icy boulders. For a unique experience, stay at Hotel Rangá, where staff will alert guests when the aurora is visible.

For even better chances, head north. The Westfjords, Iceland’s northernmost peninsula, offers longer nights and clearer skies compared to much of the country. The region’s small, isolated towns are shielded by steep fjords, minimizing light pollution. For the darkest skies, visit Bolafjall, a 2,086-foot mountain overlooking Ísafjörður, the peninsula’s unofficial capital. From here, the jet-black skies provide an excellent backdrop for witnessing the aurora’s neon streaks.

2. Beat the cold in Fairbanks, Alaska 

Aurora season in Alaska typically spans from late August to late April, when the cold temperatures call for warm clothing. However, experiencing the northern lights here is far from uncomfortable. At the Aurora Borealis Lodge, located just 30 minutes south of Fairbanks, guests can enjoy the celestial display from the comfort of cozy cabins, complete with a cup of hot chocolate. Alternatively, Chena Hot Springs Resort, an hour to the east, offers a relaxing soak in geothermal waters after a chilly night of sky-gazing.

3. Feast your eyes on the blue hole over Abisko, Sweden 

Situated 125 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Abisko benefits from a unique microclimate created by two surrounding mountains that block clouds at night. This creates a “blue hole” with exceptional visibility for celestial displays. For an aurora-chasing adventure, consider joining Lights Over Lapland for a tour in a winter-ready 4WD vehicle. Alternatively, visit the lookout tower at STF Aurora Sky Station, where you can enjoy aurora views on roughly 70% of the nights it’s open.

4. Cuddle up in a teepee near Yellowknife, Canada 

The Indigenous Dene people of Canada’s Northwest Territories call the northern lights ya’ke ngas, meaning “sky stirring.” If you visit Yellowknife, located at the heart of the auroral oval, you’re likely to see this celestial display yourself. According to Northwest Territories Tourism, spending three nights in the area gives you a 98% chance of witnessing the aurora. Consider booking a three-night stay at Aurora Village, where you can enjoy the vibrant sky while staying cozy in a wood stove-heated teepee.

5. Join a guided expedition in Tromsø, Norway

Norway, spanning the Arctic Circle, is renowned for its northern lights displays. In Svalbard, the extended polar night offers ample opportunities to witness solar storms blazing over the Arctic tundra. Alternatively, join a Viking Cruise along the coast to escape urban light pollution and enhance your chances of seeing the auroras.

In Tromsø, Norway’s largest city above the Arctic Circle, urban lights are unlikely to hinder your aurora viewing. From October to March, you can often spot the “dancing green lady.” For the best experience, consider taking a tour with experts like Torsten Aslaksen, an Aurora Physics Professor, or Espen Minde, a Tromsø local with extensive aurora-chasing experience. While they can’t guarantee sightings, they offer valuable insights as you search the skies.