We rented a car to explore the area during daytime and chase the Aurora Borealis in Alaska in September. We stayed at A Taste Of Alaska Lodge, a wilderness lodge very clean and spacious, located 30 miles away from Fairbanks. So, you can adventure and rent a car to chase Northern Lights or to book a tour somewhere close to the Arctic Circle to admire the lights, as we did.īased on the research we made we decided we will travel to Alaska in September to see the Aurora Borealis and it appeared to be a smart decision. September, on the other hand, is an autumn month with milder temperatures and better weather conditions than winter. So that is why you might end up in the hotel room as everything around you is closed because of bad weather. You need to travel far from any light pollution to spot the lights and the Arctic winter is very cold and snowy with many dangerous roads. It might not be as rewarding as seeing the Northern Lights in person, but even from your computer screen the show is still a delight.Alaska Northern Lights Cabin Aurora Borealis in Alaskaĭuring the winter months, there are many cloudy nights as the snow continues to fall and cover the landscape, which diminishes the chances of spotting the magnificent light show on the sky.Īnd there is another thing we should take into consideration when talking about the best time to spot Northern Lights in Alaska in September and this is the road conditions. Sitkans watched the display from the Crescent Harbor Net Shed, and even over drinks on the Westmark Sitka Hotel deck!Īll of this and no luck? Check UAF’s All Sky Camera for a nightly livestream of the aurora borealis from Alaska’s Poker Flat Research Range. Last year’s best light show was at Rock the Dock, an outdoor concert event that takes place between Mermaid Festival and the Seafood Festival. Sometimes, the auroras are even bright enough to be enjoyed from Crescent Harbor. Check out the Visit Sitka Instagram account ( to see photos of the Northern Lights captured by our local photographers. On nights of high probability, locals like to pack picnic blankets, snacks, and watch from the trails. Screenshot from the Visit Sitka Instagram account best viewing spots depend on the time of night Starrigavan and Harbor Mountain are both popular spots. Be ready around 10 pm, and prepare to stay up until 1 or 2 am if need be. The long nights of September to April are the best time of year, with peak aurora activity usually occurring around midnight. You need clear, dark skies – so no rain or full moon. Of course, there are other factors to take into account. For mobile devices, you can also download the My Aurora Forecast app and receive push notifications during times of high activity. I use the two together, checking UAF’s aurora forecast to prepare in advance and the NOAA’s model the day of. The NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center also offers a highly detailed aurora map with a minute-by-minute daily prediction model. They monitor and predict aurora activity, publishing an aurora forecast up to one month in advance. If you’re looking for the Northern Lights, your best friend is going to be the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Ñúnáý woo.aat gis’óoñ yá xáanaa : the Northern Lights are really moving about this evening. The colors were like nothing I had ever imagined: pale yellows, muted pinks, and the subtlest tinge of green. I watched for over an hour as they danced overhead, fluctuating and transforming before my eyes. I remember exactly where I was the first time I saw them, camping at a Forest Service cabin just outside Sitka. Gis’óo k is the Tlingit word for the aurora borealis. A view of the Northern Lights over the mountains
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