Chasing the Aurora in Fairbanks Alaska (2024)

FAQs

What is the best month to see the northern lights in Fairbanks? ›

BEST TIME TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN FAIRBANKS ALASKA

The best time for viewing the northern lights tends to be during the late evening and early morning hours, between 10pm-3am. The aurora season in Fairbanks extends from September through April, though winter is the best time to visit due to darker skies.

You can see the aurora from downtown Fairbanks, Creamer's Field, or anywhere in the vicinity. However, city lights will mute the vibrancy.

Guided aurora chasing is popular and you're sure to have an experience watching the Northern Lights that you simply can't get anywhere else. A local tour operator can often locate a viewing area where the stars and aurora poke through the clouds.

Many people consider Fairbanks the single best place for viewing the Northern Lights in Alaska. Located directly beneath the oval of the Northern Lights, the northerly location of Fairbanks means that aurora borealis hunters don't have to venture too far away from the city in order to spot the lights.

Do the Northern Lights appear every night? No, Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) don't appear nightly; their occurrence depends on solar activity, geomagnetic conditions, and atmosphere. While they can be frequent near the Arctic Circle during high solar activity, they're not consistently visible.

Timing: Best aurora is usually within an hour or two of midnight (between 10 PM and 2 AM local time). These hours of active aurora expand towards evening and morning as the level of geomagnetic activity increases.

Fairbanks. The north face of Denali can be seen from many spots in Alaska's Interior city, about 150 miles from the mountain. The most beloved view can be found at the Alaska Range Overlook on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus.

The Arctic Circle is located at 66 degrees 33 minutes north latitude, about 200 road miles or 140 air miles from Fairbanks.

An aurora will usually last about 15-30 minutes, but can sometimes last for a few hours.

Clear, dark skies are crucial to seeing the Northern Lights. Pick a viewing location with a wide-open view of the sky, away from light pollution, and check the forecast for cloud cover and moonrise time, as moonlight can diminish aurora viewing. Tip 4: Practice patience.

What do you call a person who loves the Aurora Borealis? ›

For many they are a once-in-a-lifetime experience but chasing the Northern Lights dominates daily life for aurora hunters.

During a weak aurora, the colours are very faint and spread out whereas an intense aurora features greater numbers of and brighter colours which can be seen higher in the sky with a distinct arc. The northern lights are best seen in darkness, away from any light pollution.

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. Scientifically speaking, the aurora is dancing above year-round, but we can only see it during the Aurora Season when we have dark enough skies.

Fairbanks is one of Alaska's best year-round destinations and visitors will find plenty to do whether they come for the long, warm summer days or to watch spectacular northern lights coloring the night sky during Aurora Season.

The best time to visit Fairbanks is from July to August. Shoulder seasons, including May to June and August through September, are also ideal.

The Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Alaska

Alaska's northern lights season is between late August and late April, peaking in March. However, the season is defined more by its long, dark nights than by solar activity.

(I'm not crying, you're crying.) The best time to see the aurora borealis in Alaska is from August 21 to April 21. We call it the Aurora Season.

The best time of year for aurora viewing

You are more likely to see the northern lights in winter, between the months of October and April. This is because the night sky is darker in winter and there are fewer daylight hours.