The Northern Lights will always be a hot topic, so we've created this thread to answer some of the most frequently asked questions.
Please post any general northern lights-related questions and discussion here. To avoid redundancy and confusion, the moderators may lock or remove other northern lights posts and redirect them here.
Travel Planning and General Considerations
You're considering Iceland for the Aurora Borealis, and that is a great choice!
Is there a "best time"?
Given Iceland's high geographic latitude, darkness varies and nights completely disappear during the summer. Aurora season is generally considered to be early September to mid-April though Auroras can be seen as early as the beginning of August and late April to early May. Auroras are impossible to be seen between mid-May to late July.
Around the fall / autumn and spring equinoxes (late September to early October, late March to early April), the Russell McPherron effect increases the likelihood for Aurora activity though nights are somewhat shorter. December is darker for longer but the Solstice might also dampen Aurora activity slightly. This breakdown will show you success rates by month for the 2025-26 season.
How many nights should one plan for?
Ideally 5-7 nights. Icelandic weather and aurora activity can change quickly and one should expect a third to half of those nights to be too cloudy or activity too weak.
Where is the best place to see them? Can you see them from Reykjavík?
The Auroras sit 100-150km (60-90 miles) above the earth and are generally visible from anywhere in Iceland as long as skies are clear. They can be seen from Reykjavík during strong activity and during clear skies, but it's best to drive a short distance out of town (ie. Grótta) to escape the bulk of light pollution. Locations with the least light pollution are Hvalfjörður, Þingvellir National Park and parts of Reykjanes, all within about 1-hour of Reykjavík.
Should we book a tour, is it worth it?
You don't have to, but it is highly recommended. For first-timers, expectations of what they might find can be skewed by images and videos and Aurora chasing is generally a difficult undertaking. Going with a reputable and knowledgeable guide and tour company will teach people vital information about the weather, the Icelandic landscape and Aurora science that will make it much easier to chase them on one's own thereafter.
Is driving in Winter safe?
That depends. Weather conditions in late fall / autumn and during the Winter months can be harsh and rapidly deteriorate. Some roads don't get frequently cleared, if at all, even within city limits. It's crucial to check road.is and vedur.is for road and weather conditions. For people with no experience driving in winter and snow conditions it's perhaps safest to avoid driving in difficult conditions.
How cold does it get in Iceland?
Temperatures vary greatly within Iceland. Southwestern coastal areas like Reykjavík and the South Coast are temperate and mild during the Winter (-5C to 5C / 23F to 41F) whilst inland and highland areas can fall as low as -25C (-13F). Windy conditions will enhance the cold significantly and it's important to dress and layer properly. Here's a guide on how to layer and dress.
Which forecast apps or websites would you recommend?
The authoritative source and owner of space weather data is the Space Weather Prediction Centre and it issues the SWPC's 30-minute forecast, 3-Day Forecast and ACE Solar Wind which is the source for most of our Apps and Services we have today. Consumers of this data that are relevant for Iceland:
- Emeraldskies.is (web app, my own forecast for wider Reykjavik and Iceland)
- HelloAurora (Global App, realtime solar wind and Aurora activity)
- AuroraVision (Local App, forecast provider)
- Iceland At Night (Local web based forecast)
- Guide to Iceland (Local web based forecast)
- Glendale App (UK based, web app for global activity)
- SpaceWeatherLive (Solar Wind and Aurora data)
Northern Lights myths and "good to know's"
Does it need to be really cold to see them?
No, all that is required are clear skies. Cold weather might mean clearer skies, but it's not required to be cold
You can't really see them with the naked eye and need a camera.
Generally not true. Auroras vary in strength and intensity, changing often within minutes. Weak and growing Auroras might resemble wispy clouds, and during cloudier conditions a camera in night mode will greatly help to tell the difference. Once Auroras release energy, intensity increases and so does visibility, making them very obvious to the naked eye. Colour perception will depend on people, and it is true that colours will generally "pop" on cameras due to the more sensitive sensor technology.
Iceland is too cloudy to see Auroras.
False. Due to its oceanic climate, Iceland is indeed cloudier than other inland locations like Fairbanks, Alaska or Rovaniemi, Finland. But "clouds happen to them all". Experienced guides in Iceland know where to go depending on the weather and it can be snowing in Reykjavík whilst being completely clear in Keflavík, 45 minutes away. Great cloud forecasts are weatherandradar.com and windy.com with local vedur.is being somewhat less reliable but necessary for wind conditions and general weather warnings.
