The predominant color is green, and they are most visible in the northern sky at high latitudes. KP 1 to 3: Auroras are usually quiet and faint. KP is just an indicator, but in most situations: The higher the KP-index the more likely you are to see a big Northern Lights display at a high latitude.įor example, with a KP 3, you’re very likely to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, but if you want to see the Northern Lights in England, the data says that you’ll need a KP 5 or higher.The higher the KP-index the further south you can see the Northern Lights.The KP-index has a range of 0-9, and, generally speaking, has the following implications for the Northern Lights forecast: Here you can learn a little more about what causes the northern lights. This Aurora forecast indicator (known as “planetary K-index”), is simply a scale to measure the geomagnetic activity that is directly related to Northern Lights visibility. The KP index is the most common way to forecast the Northern Lights, and you can use it both for short-term and long-term Aurora prediction. In the Northern Lights forecast, there are three main indicators for tracking the Aurora: It would be sad if you have to watch the polar show from the inside because of the unbearable cold.Now, let’s learn to read the Aurora forecast and the Northern Lights maps so you can predict the Northern Lights in real-time. Rely on synthetic, fleece, and wool materials. What to wear?Ī general recommendation is to dress warmly and wear layers. With over 6 million ac (nearly 2.5 million ha) of wild nature, there are plenty of stunning views in the national park. The key benefits are low light pollution and picturesque landscape that includes Denali or Mount McKinley, the highest mountain peak in North America. Denali National Park is about a three hour drive south-west of Fairbanks. If you dislike the idea of the extreme north, national parks provide an alternative. Otherwise, you can opt for a tour package. You can get there by Alaska Airlines departing from Anchorage and arriving at the town's Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport. The northernmost town in the US is also home to the native Iñupiat Eskimo culture. The best choice is Barrow also called Utqiagvik. To maximize your chances of seeing celestial lights in all their beauty, go to the extreme north. If you're into more adventures, follow the road to Prudhoe Bay. The camp operates year-round and offers other services, including a cafe, tour options, fuel, and minor tire repairs. You can find overnight accommodations at the rustic Coldfoot Camp set on the edge of the Gates of the Arctic National Park, which is the northernmost national park in the US. The former gold-mining settlement on the famed Dalton Highway from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay nowadays serves as a truck stop. The area is also 20 mi away, but south-east of Fairbanks.Īt 67° N latitude and 60 mi (97 km) above the Arctic Circle, Coldfoot is the prime northern lights destination in the Alaskan Arctic. Also, visit Chena Lakes Recreation Area to look for vibrant green reflections in the water. The area is easily accessible, offers a solid view of the horizon, and has parking, which is also convenient. A good place to head to in the vicinity is Cleary Summit Aurora Viewing Area, situated about 20 mi (32 km) north-east of Fairbanks. Even though it's located just below the Arctic Circle, 180 mi (290 km) south to be more precise, the aurora borealis appears quite frequently there. The most popular place for viewing the rare and spectacular phenomenon in Alaska is Fairbanks. Therefore, the remote inland Alaskan Arctic and extreme north work the best. The chances strengthen when going up the latitude. However, the number of displays there is dramatically fewer than in the north. The flickering lights can be spotted anywhere in the state, including its largest city of Anchorage and other places in the south. The best time to look for the shimmering lights is between midnight and 2 am. You can spot absolutely stunning aurora borealis displays in September or October, as well as March or April. So the season stretches from late August through to late April. Northern lights dance across the sky all year round, but we are able to see it only on a dark and clear night.
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