Aurora Forecast

One of the most important things to consider when planning a trip to see the Northern Lights in Alaska is the forecast. The Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are a natural phenomenon that can be difficult to predict. In this page, we will provide a guide to using the Northern Lights forecast to plan your trip.

The main factors that affect the Northern Lights forecast are solar activity and geomagnetic activity. Solar activity refers to the level of activity on the sun, which goes through an 11-year cycle of solar activity, known as the solar cycle. During the solar cycle, the sun goes through periods of high activity, known as solar maximum, and periods of low activity, known as solar minimum. During solar maximum, the sun is more active and produces more solar particles, which can result in more intense and frequent auroral displays. On the other hand, during solar minimum, the sun is less active and produces fewer solar particles, which can result in weaker and less frequent auroral displays.

Geomagnetic activity refers to the level of activity in the Earth’s magnetic field. The Earth’s magnetic field can also go through periods of high and low activity, known as geomagnetic storms and geomagnetic lulls. During geomagnetic storms, the auroral oval (the area where the Northern Lights are most likely to be visible) expands, making the aurora borealis more visible at lower latitudes. On the other hand, during geomagnetic lulls, the auroral oval contracts, making the aurora borealis less visible at lower latitudes.

To check the Northern Lights forecast, you can use websites such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website or the Aurora Service website. These websites provide a 3-day forecast of geomagnetic activity, as well as a 5-day forecast of solar activity.