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The Best Time to See Northern Lights in Iceland

The best time to see northern lights in Iceland is typically from September to April, when the nights are long and dark.

If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of the stunning Northern Lights in Iceland, location and timing are everything.

But even within that timeframe, there can be variability.

Here’s a look at some factors that can affect your chances of seeing it.

Factors that can affect seeing the northern lights in Iceland:

  • the amount of cloud cover.
  • the level of activity on the sun. (Solar activity can actually interfere with visibility of the northern lights.)
  • the strength of the geomagnetic storm.

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Have you ever asked yourself when is the best time to see northern lights in Iceland Aurora Borealis solar activity ?

best time to see northern lights in Iceland
best time to see northern lights in Iceland

If you plan to view Aurora Borealis, you have to know that the best time of year to see Northern Lights in Iceland is in late autumn and during winter if you consider the sun’s activity.

You have my word that it will be an amazing and unique experience that you will remember for the rest of your life!

How to see the Northern Lights in Iceland?

First of all, choose the right period to visit Iceland for the Aurora Borealis. More important for seeing it is to be in the best place at the right time so you can view the Auroa Borealis in Iceland.

Easier said than done because Iceland Aurora is not so easy to view, especially if you never did this in the past.

best time to see Northern Lights in Iceland
best time of year to see Northern Lights

No worries though, because in this article I will guide and help you with the best travel tips so you can have the highest chance to see the northern lights in Iceland during your itinerary.

We followed these simple rules, and we did not leave the country without viewing Aurora Iceland in the dark clear sky.

When is the best time to see Northern Lights in Iceland?

The best time to view Iceland’s northern lights is from September to October, around midnight, from around 10 pm to 2 am.

During this time of the year, you will get friendlier weather conditions, warmer temperatures and way fewer clouds than December and January.

It is possible to experience better solar activity so consider booking accommodation early to get the best price for accommodation near the best spots for aurora.

These are the new essentials you have to pack for your trip

What is the best time of day to see the northern lights in Iceland ?

The best time of day to see the northern lights in Iceland is during the night, typically between 10 PM and 2 AM.

However, the visibility of the northern lights also depends on various factors such as weather conditions, solar activity, and light pollution.

It is recommended to check the aurora forecast and weather conditions before planning a trip to see the northern lights in Iceland.

While the northern lights can potentially be seen at any hour of the day or night throughout the year, the most vibrant activity is during midnight, extending a few hours before and after this peak time.

best time to view Northern Lights in Iceland
Northern Light on the road

Which are the best months to see the northern lights in Iceland?

Every little thing depends on your objective of seeing the Aurora Borealis as well as the weather conditions that you prefer and also can endure.

In my opinion, these are the best months to see the northern lights in Iceland:

  • July: Spotting the northern light in July is practically impossible since there is not nearly enough darkness. You have to be really fortunate to actually have a really high solar activity at the darkest hour of the evening to see it
  • August: Traveling at the end of August as well as you raise your chances of seeing the North Lights in Iceland in August. Examine the solar task as well as the aurora projection on vedur.is.
  • September: In September the nights are longer, it is not that cold and solar activity is generally higher at the equinox. September is one of the best months to see northern lights in Iceland, especially because of weather conditions and less cloudiness and higher solar activity.

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  • October: Throughout October’s very first 2 weeks the solar activity is usually higher and also the first snowfalls take place in a lot of the island. It is much less cold than in winter months so October is a good month to see the northern lights in Iceland.
  • November:  Snow and Ice start the winter season in Iceland. Weather is more unstable, but you get an increased number of hours of darkness so you have a higher chance to see the northern lights in November.
  • December:  Enjoy many hours of darkness, fewer tourists in most places, higher solar activity, so December is the best month to see the Northern Lights in Iceland.
  • January:  If your goal is to take photos of the northern lights with the snowy winter wonderland scenery, then January is one of the best months to see northern lights in Iceland. Dress warm and have your camera ready, the whole island is already in Arctic winter.
  • February: More tourist comes in February, though snow and cold are still present and constant. Many small waterfalls are still frozen so February might be the perfect time to capture the Northern Lights in Iceland.
  • March: End of March comes with warmer temperatures, it is the end of winter and the spring equinox which means higher solar activity. More and more tourist visit Iceland as March is one of the best months to photograph the Northern Lights in Iceland.
  • April: Spring is here, so the number of hours of light increases a lot, and the scenery of Iceland changes with the thaw. You have a higher chance to see the Aurora Borealis in April during the first two weeks. Chances lower as you approach the end of April.
  • May: May is close to summer so the long days, and lesser hours of dark translate into very very low chances, which means May is not the best month to see Aurora Borealis in Iceland.

The best period for Aurora Borealis in Iceland starts in September and ends in March, sometimes ending at the beginning of April.

We still consider the best season for Northern Lights to be in autumn and early winter, that is from September to December.

Best time of year for Northern Lights in Iceland

Best time to see Northern Lights in Iceland is during the autumn months October and November or during early spring in March or April.

When is the best time of year for northern lights in Iceland?

We consider the best time to visit Iceland is during October because winter has not come yet, the roads are still drivable and you can still do the Iceland ring road itinerary by car.

October could be one of the best months to visit Iceland for northern lights.

Northern lights can be seen during October, November, and December but in my opinion, the most accessible months are September and October, almost everyone considers it to be the best time of year to see Northern Lights in Iceland.

Please take into consideration that November and December are winter months that could mean most of the main roads are closed, or that they are full of ice and snow and hard to drive on.

You might think it is better to visit Iceland during November and December because there is more nighttime during these months but the true fact is that you might end up doing less because you can move less, or move with higher risk considering the bad winter weather.

Best time to see northern lights in Iceland known also as the Northern Lights season might also be during early spring in March or April.

During these months the winter is almost over and the longer days and gradually higher temperatures make it easier to explore and plan a trip to see the Northern Lights in Iceland.

When you plan your trip, consider knowing the astrological events, as they happen all month in the Arctic Circle.

The new moon could come just when you visit Iceland and that could be a special event to see Northern lights in Iceland.

Iceland Northern Lights Aurora Borealis Lights
Iceland Northern Lights Aurora Borealis Lights

Best time of year for northern lights in Iceland – October is the best time to see Northern Lights in Iceland 

Strong moonlight is generally amplified by snow, especially when you take long exposure photos with your camera, and that could lead to beautiful photos of the landscape at night, but at the same time, it could mean it would be harder for you to spot and photograph faint aurora borealis which will translate in not so perfect opportunities to shoot the northern light in Iceland.

The lack of the moon could mean more perfect photos of Iceland northern lights, so it could be the best time of year for northern lights in Iceland.

From my experience, when you plan a trip and wish to choose the best time to view northern lights in Iceland, you should consider these 5 things:

  • Don’t plan a trip for the Icelandic Aurora Borealis, plan for the destination as travelling to Iceland definitely should be on your bucket list
  • The Green Lights are unpredictable
  • It does not have to be cold to see the Iceland Northern Lights, it just has to be dark outside
  • You need a clear sky with no low clouds
  • Northern lights are not “on” all night, they can be seen only for a short period when the “activity” is above 3 (please see the aurora forecast from vedur.is)
  • The weather could change in a blink of an eye

Northern Lights Forecast and Weather for Iceland

In order to see the aurora borealis you need to consider various other variables like weather.

Snow as well as a snowstorm can close several roadways, causing the unfeasibility to go to those best spots to see the northern lights.

Cloudiness is another very vital aspect to consider, December normally can have much more clouds than November or October and also this may be a trouble.

best time to see Northern lights in Iceland in 2020
best time of year to see Iceland Northern lights Thingvellir National Park

Solar activity the “engine” that produces the aurora borealis is at a higher intensity at equinoxes.

Of course, there are 2 equinoxes, however, only one that has a darker sky which is the fall equinox which can be your best bet.

The closer you are to fall equinox when you see Iceland for Northern Lights the greater are your chances to see the green lights on the sky.

Historical Data of Northern Lights in Iceland by Month

You can use this calendar for reference, but please keep in mind that the KP is a random factor, and will vary from one year to another.

The below calendar does not show cloudiness, which is a key factor for determining your chances of seeing the northern lights in Iceland.

 

Nights with KP ≥ 3

Dark Nights ≥ 4 hours

Northern Lights Nights

Northern Lights in Iceland in January213121
Northern Lights in Iceland in February202820
Northern Lights in Iceland in March213121
Northern Lights in Iceland in April2000
Northern Lights in Iceland in May1900
Northern Lights in Iceland in June1000
Northern Lights in Iceland in July1600
Northern Lights in Iceland in August1700
Northern Lights in Iceland in September261716
Northern Lights in Iceland in October193118
Northern Lights in Iceland in Novemebr183018
Northern Lights in Iceland in December163117

*KP is the value related to the Aurora forecast and ranges from 0 to 9. To see Aurora Borealis in Iceland, you usually need a KP 3 or higher, though rarely you can spot it even at KP 2.

Additionally consider the northern lights forecast from vedur.is as well as other official websites.

You need the solar eruptions forecast, the KP factor as well as the low and mid-level clouds, lower clouds, mid clouds as well as high clouds, every one of which can significantly influence your chance of seeing the aurora borealis.

Aurora forecast vedur.is Northern Light forecast
Aurora forecast vedur.is Northern Light forecast

In one word, you could have a KP factor higher than 7 (which is very rare) and you will not see anything if the sky is full of clouds (the lower and mid clouds are the ones causing the most overcast).

Clouds covering the sky might ruin your chances of seeing the lights in the sky even if there is strong solar wind and solar maximum activity.

Best places to see Northern Lights in Iceland

Iceland is a big island and because of this, there are many beautiful places where you can see Northern Light in Iceland.

Over time, some spots even gained the fame of being the best places to see North Lights in Iceland. I will present each of them in detail for you below.

Best places to see Northern Lights in Northern Iceland

  • KIRKJUFELL: is the best mountain to see Aurora Borealis in Iceland
  • AKUREYRI: Northern lights can often be seen in the surrounding areas of Akureyri from September through April on nights with clear sky
  • HUSAVIK: Sail the Skjalfandi Bay and watch the northern lights above you. It will sure be a very memorable experience you can do once in your lifetime.
  • MYVATN: It is also called Northern Light capital of Iceland and for a good reason. Myvatn is generally a clear sky area, having higher chances of seeing the aurora borealis.

Best places to see Northern Lights in Southern Iceland

  • VIK: known to be the most southern village of Iceland, this place has many beautiful spots to see the green light.
  • SKOGAFOSS: is the most beautiful waterfall to see the Northern Lights in Iceland.
  • DC PLANE WRECK: The abandoned plane crash on the sólheimasandur volcanic beach is one of the great places to shoot North Lights in Iceland
  • HVOLSVOLLUR: This beautiful church is the perfect place to see the North Lights away from the cities, in total darkness.
  • STOKKSNES: This wild beach offers unique photo compositions and stunning place to view the Northern Light in Iceland.
  • GROTTA: perfect spot for North Lights in Iceland close to Reykjavik
  • THINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK: Silfra drift is the perfect location to see Northern-Lights in Iceland
  • JOKULSARLON: the glacier lagoon offers the best view of the Northern Lights in Iceland

Do you need a car to see the northern lights in Iceland?

To chase Northern Lights you definitely need a car.

It offers you the flexibility and freedom needed when chasing Aurora Borealis.

best time of year for Iceland Northern Lights in 2020
best time of year for Northern Lights

You might have to drive during nighttime in total darkness to isolated places to take the best photography and you’ll get very quickly how important it is to have a rented car at your disposal.

Get the best price for your car rental today

Where to sleep when chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland

Before starting your hunt for the Northern Lights, make sure you have booked the best accommodations for your trip.

In my opinion, booking accommodation in the fall, in September or October is better because it is the best time to see Northern Lights in Iceland.

Also, the weather is better so you have extra opportunities to move from one area to one more.

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The hotels must be far from any light pollution and city lights, in remote areas from where you can observe perfectly the night skies and any trace of the Green Lady appearing.

The most popular places to spot this unique phenomenon are located on the south coast, from Reykjavik to Vik.

No matter if you choose to hunt the lights on your own of you book a Northern Lights tour, you definitely have to stay in these amazing places from Iceland:

Best time of year to see Northern Lights in Iceland
Best time to see the northern light in Iceland travel guide

Frequently asked questions

What are Northern Lights in Iceland

Northern Lights appear when the Sun’s charged particles interact with Earth magnetic field, giving us an awesome light show up in the polar skies!

Definition: Northern Lights are also known as Aurora Borealis.

Aurora or aurorae (for plural) are a natural green light, polar light that can be seen on the dark sky of Earth in the northern regions around the North Pole and in the southern regions near Antarctica.

Where does the term “Northern Lights” come from?

Northern Lights is the name given to Aurora Borealis.

Aurora Borealis is formed from two words: Aurora and Borealis. Aurora is the name of the Roman goddess of the dawn. Borealis comes from Boreas, which is the Greek word meaning north wind.

The best chance for seeing the northern lights

Generally speaking, your best bet for seeing the northern lights in Iceland is to visit during the shoulder season in September/October or March/April.

The weather is typically more stable at these times, and you’ll have longer hours of darkness to increase your chances of seeing the lights.

Keep in mind that even if all the factors are lined up perfectly for a great light show, there’s no guarantee you’ll see them.

But if you plan your trip during the best time of year and keep an eye on the forecast, you just might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of this natural phenomenon.

How to increase the chance to see Northern Lights in Iceland during winter

You should know that Aurora Borealis period in Iceland is tightly associated with late fall as well as winter season, which is the period of the year with the most darkness hours, as well as likewise the coldest.

If you were thinking to check out Iceland in spring for Aurora Borealis, think again, as this may not give you the highest opportunity of spotting the Green Lady.

The main reason is that the days are much longer, there is fewer hours of dark, so fewer minutes with complete darkness.

During winter time one of the best things do in Iceland is watching the northern lights as they are such a beautiful and unique phenomena, I cannot properly express what I felt when I first saw it.

During wintertime, best locations to see the northern lights in Iceland are not so quickly accessible as there can be shut roads due to weather conditions so better book your trip in autumn.

When the roadways are not shut you will most likely discover ice as well as snow when driving so you must drive meticulously as it is not a pleasant experience.

Though numerous travellers will certainly take into consideration November as well as December as the very best time to see the northern lights in Iceland, my recommendation is to visit Iceland in October or in late September.

In these months the weather is a lot more friendly and also you still have plenty of darkness after 6-7 pm to detect the aurora borealis.

More than that, the solar activity is higher during fall as well as winter season.

You can additionally consider to visit Iceland in February or March for comparable factors.

If you choose to visit Iceland in December or in November, days will be short, nights will be long so you have more chances to spot the Aurora Borealis, because it is the best time to see northern lights in Iceland.

Chance of seeing the Northern Lights in Reykjavik

The chance of seeing the northern lights in Reykjavik, the capital city of Iceland, can vary depending on several factors.

While it is not impossible to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis from Reykjavik, there are certain conditions that can significantly improve your odds.

The best day to see the Northern Lights in Reykjavik

When it comes to the best day to see the northern lights in Reykjavik, clear skies are essential, as cloud cover can obscure the view of the aurora.

Therefore, checking the local weather forecast before planning a northern lights excursion is highly recommended.

Additionally, auroral activity tends to be more intense during periods of high solar activity, such as solar flares or coronal mass ejections.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office provides an aurora forecast that can help you determine the likelihood of seeing the northern lights in Reykjavik or other locations in Iceland.

This forecast takes into account factors like cloud cover and auroral activity levels, making it a valuable resource for planning your aurora viewing adventure.

The best month to see the Northern Lights in Reykjavik

One of the most important factors in witnessing the northern lights is the level of darkness.

Since the lights are more visible during the winter months due to longer nights, the best month to see the northern lights in Reykjavik typically falls between late September and early April.

However, the city lights can cause light pollution, which reduces the visibility of the aurora.

To increase your chances of seeing the northern lights, consider venturing outside the city to areas with less artificial light.

The best year to see the northern lights in Reykjavik

As for the best year to see the northern lights in Reykjavik, it mainly depends on the solar cycle.

The solar cycle lasts for about 11 years, and the auroral activity is generally more intense during the peak of the cycle.

However, the difference in activity between the peak and the minimum of the cycle is not so dramatic that you should plan your visit solely based on the solar cycle.

In conclusion, while it is possible to see the northern lights in Reykjavik, your chances increase significantly if you visit during the winter months, head to less light-polluted areas, and keep an eye on weather and aurora forecasts.

With a bit of luck and preparation, you might just be rewarded with a stunning display of nature’s own light show.

Conclusion

If the aurora forecast is above 3 and the map looks white it could be the best time to view Northern Lights in Iceland.

Pro travel tip when you search for aurora forecast: On Vedur.is you should look for “aurora forecast” activity above 3 and please note that the map should be white (and not green, blue or orange).

The green means that the sky has clouds on it, it does not mean that aurora borealis can be seen, on the contrary, it might be the best time of year for Northern Lights in Iceland.

Logistical tips and tricks for your trip

Book your accommodation

We always use Booking.com as they have the best price-quality ratio and they offer a wide range of hotels, guesthouses, apartments, and villas to choose from.

You will find here all types of accommodations, from the cheapest ones to the most luxurious.

Don't forget travel insurance

We never leave home without HeyMondo Insurance or Safety Wings Insurance as they offer the best services and a good value for money, plus COVID coverage.

When we go for longer trips around the world we get Globelink Insurance as it offers a good cover for an affordable price.

Travel insurance will always protect you against unexpected events and cost like illness, COVID, injury, theft, or travel cancellation.

We never go on any trip without travel insurance and there were many cases when we had to use it.

Renting a car
We like to explore a country on our own and a car gives us the mobility and freedom to do that.

We always rent our car from Discovercars as they have free cancellation 48 hours prior to starting date and a wide range of car rental companies and options to choose from all over the world.

Tours and attractions
When we are looking for some adventure or we simply want to break up the monotony and discover new places, we always use GetYourGuide.

We love it because we always find the most amazing experiences, with free cancellation and a large variety of activities and tours to choose from.

Airplane tickets and holiday packages
Expedia is our ally when searching for the best price for airplane tickets as it works as an aggregator for a huge number of airlines and we always find the best price for our flights.

Travel tip: use Expedia when you are searching for holiday packages as they have many last-minute offers and great discounts for hotels, flights, and even the whole holiday packages.

S. K. Nijjar

Thursday 30th of April 2020

That was very informational! Thank you for sharing, I've always wanted to go to Alaska and check out the northern lights. Will bookmark this for when I end up going one day.

Alex Hash

Monday 11th of May 2020

We've never been to Alaska yet, but we saw the Northern Lights in Iceland, and it was one of the most beautiful things we saw yet. Magical and unique. I bet that Northern Lights in United States are beautiful.

Kirstin

Tuesday 7th of January 2020

wow, thanks so much for this guide! I'm hoping to head back to Iceland so I've now bookmarked this :)

Alex Hash

Tuesday 7th of January 2020

That souds like a good plan. Plan ahead and take in consideration the best period to view the Northern Lights in Iceland and hopefully, you will see them next time.