If you’re headed to Alaska to catch a glimpse of the aurora, experts advise the best time to see the northern lights in the Land of the Midnight Sun is from late August through April, with Fairbanks known as one of the top places in the world to watch the spectacular natural light show.
When can you see the northern lights in Fairbanks Alaska?
Aurora Season in Fairbanks, Alaska, is from August 21 through April 21 and spans all four seasons and nine months of the year. Plan your trip during late August and the first half of September to revel in summer activities and attractions by day and chase the northern lights at night.
What is the best month to visit Fairbanks Alaska?
The best time to visit Fairbanks is from July to August. Shoulder seasons, including May to June and August through September, are also ideal.
Where is the best place to see the northern lights in Fairbanks?
Landscape: Murphy Dome is the highest point close to Fairbanks at 2,877 ft/877 m. You’ll enjoy scenic vistas as you wind through lowland forest and climb up toward the dome, with views opening up over the valley. Here, you’ll be able to enjoy unobstructed views for excellent aurora viewing.
Is it better to see the northern lights in Fairbanks or Anchorage?
Although Fairbanks is known as the best place to see the Northern Lights in Alaska, you can also get a pretty good show in Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage. You may need to get a bit outside of the south coastal city to really see the lights, but guides like Salmon Berry Tours can take you to all the best spots.
Why is Fairbanks The best place to see the northern lights?
Fairbanks’ location is ideal for northern lights viewing because it is under the “Auroral Oval,” a ring-shaped zone over the far north where aurora activity is concentrated. Additionally, Fairbanks’ low precipitation and distance from coastal areas contribute to consistently clear nights.
Where are you guaranteed to see the northern lights?
The best places in the world are usually closer to the Arctic Circle, including Alaska, Canada, Iceland, Greenland, Norway, Sweden and Finland. But don’t limit yourself: You can also spot the southern lights in the southern hemisphere. Still, the northern lights are the star of the show.
What is the coldest month in Fairbanks Alaska?
January
The cold season lasts for 3.6 months, from November 8 to February 26, with an average daily high temperature below 16°F. The coldest month of the year in Fairbanks is January, with an average low of -13°F and high of 3°F.
What should you avoid in Alaska?
20 Things Everyone In Alaska Should Avoid At All Costs
- Farmed seafood. Flickr/fs999.
- Or buying fish in general.
- Even feeding your dogs farmed fish.
- Eating hot dogs.
- Camping without a view.
- Snacking on chips from the lower 48.
- Shopping at big corporate box stores.
- Drinking wine that isn’t from Alaska.
What months does it snow in Fairbanks Alaska?
Snow mostly accumulates during January to March. Typically, nearly every day in those months, plus much of December and April, the snow covering Fairbanks amounts to at least ten inches deep. The snow amounts to 20 inches or more deep on an average of 37 days a year.
What is the best city in Alaska to see the northern lights?
Fairbanks
Fairbanks is one of the best places to view the northern lights in Alaska due to its location, hours of darkness in winter, auroral activity, and the amount of tours, activities, and accommodations dedicated to northern lights viewing.
Is Fairbanks worth visiting?
Fairbanks is the hub for Alaska’s Interior and Arctic and is known for its first-class accommodations and restaurants, museums, concerts, historic sites, Alaska Native culture, and access to the Alaskan wilderness. It is also famous for it’s incredible long summer days, where the sun never seems to set.
Can you see the aurora in Fairbanks?
Fairbanks, Alaska is considered one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in the world. The city is located inside the Auroral Oval—the area that hovers over the North Pole—which means more chances to see the Aurora Borealis. And it’s not just a winter thing.
Is it cheaper to fly into Anchorage or Fairbanks?
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fairbanks and Anchorage, we can see that Fairbanks is more expensive. And not only is Anchorage much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Anchorage would let you spend less money overall.
Is Fairbanks colder than Anchorage?
The typical number of winter days with low temperatures below those in Anchorage, Alaska, across the U.S. Days colder than those in Fairbanks, which is inland and nearer mountain ranges, were rarer, but could still be found down into the Southwest and parts of the Southeast.
How much does it cost to see the northern lights in Alaska?
Self-guided driving tours at the Aurora Borealis Lodge cost $25 for adults and $15 for kids 6 to 15, while the premier guided tour starts at $75 per person, including pick-up and return from area lodging.
Can you see the northern lights every night in Alaska?
Yes, you can see the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, from Anchorage – but not in the summer. The aurora actually occurs all year long, but the sky needs to be clear and dark to see it. Views are best from September to April.
How often do northern lights happen?
“Active periods are typically about 30 minutes long and occur every two hours, if the activity is high. The aurora is a sporadic phenomenon, occurring randomly for short periods or perhaps not at all.”
Do the Northern Lights happen every night?
Auroras happen in every month but because they’re impossible to see against the super-light late night summer skies far up north, our trips to see them tend to take place when the night skies are properly dark.
Where is the cheapest place to see Northern Lights?
Finland (part of the euro) is the cheapest of those options. The Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard is the furthest north you can go on a commercial flight; during its winter months of 24-hour polar night, northern lights viewings are possible around the clock.
Can you see the Northern Lights without a tour?
I’m not saying that you CAN’T go Northern Lights chasing on your own – of course you can. But if you want the best chance of seeing them (and want to learn a bit more about them, and potentially even get some photography tips), I highly recommend booking a guided tour.