Aurorae
 Borealis & Australis

When the solar activity cycle reaches a maximum every eleven years, you can count on having a nice aurorae, also known as northern and southern lights, display. Aurorae borealis and australis, also called northern lights in the northern hemisphere and southern lights in the southern hemisphere, are natural luminous phenomena characterized by large colored veils in the nocturnal sky. Dark winter nights of 2012 and 2013 represent the best current opportunity for aurorae hunters. When you travel you’re looking for the best chance for clear skies and little or no moonlight. For most destinations, that means December through April, for two weeks around the New Moon. The best for weather, darkness, and daytime activities is February/March/April.

In general, inland sites in winter are sunnier than those along an open-water coast. In North America, winter locks away the moisture and weather systems tend to be forced to lower latitudes, leaving a high frequency of clear skies. In Europe, the best spots are well inland where Atlantic Ocean and Norwegian Sea moisture has difficulty reaching. November is a very cloudy month in North America, but less so in inland Sweden. January to March is usually the best time of the year.

Aurora forecasts are freely available to the public.