Best time to see the Northern Lights: Why you should go in autumn

Autumn is one of the best times to see the Northern Lights, when you can combine your Aurora-hunting holiday with walks in the forest, wildlife spotting, foraging and a whole host of other warm weather activities before the winter months set in.

Research has found that autumn offers a very high chance of witnessing the magnificent Aurora Borealis displays in northern Europe, with the weeks around the equinox (20th/21st September) often providing the best time to observe the natural phenomenon.

Renowned scientists and Aurora experts Professor Christopher T. Russell and Professor Emeritus Robert L. McPherron, from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), say: “This is because it is becoming increasingly darker in the Auroral Zone and there is less cloud cover in the sky – both of which are essential for successful viewing.

“Furthermore, the orientation of the Earth’s axis is nearly perpendicular to the solar wind flow, greatly increasing the number of Northern Lights displays.”

Meanwhile, Ali McLean, the founder of Northern Lights holiday specialist The Aurora Zone, adds: “Autumn has very often been overlooked in favour of the winter months but, in my experience, it is one of the very best times to go Northern Lights hunting.

“In fact, the most spectacular Auroral display I have ever seen occurred in Finnish Lapland during September.”

With this in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the best Northern Lights holidays for autumn…