The Northern Lights Are Back for Third Time This Month -Here’s How to See the Spectacle

Imagine looking up at the night sky and seeing waves of color ripple across the stars—green, violet, even pink, as if Earth itself is briefly brushing against the edges of another realm. This isn’t science fiction. It’s the aurora borealis, a natural light show born from collisions between solar particles and our atmosphere. And this month, it’s showing up again… for the third time.

Thanks to heightened solar activity tied to the sun’s current 11-year cycle, the Northern Lights have made a rare series of appearances in April—reaching areas much farther south than usual. People across parts of the U.S., Europe, and Canada have already caught a glimpse, and more opportunities may still lie ahead.

Why Are the Northern Lights Back?

The aurora borealis, commonly known as the Northern Lights, is the result of a fascinating interplay between the sun and Earth’s magnetic field. At the center of it all are solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs)—massive bursts of charged particles released by the sun that travel through space. When these particles reach Earth, they collide with atoms and molecules in our atmosphere, particularly oxygen and nitrogen, releasing energy in the form of visible light. The colors that result—typically greens, but also purples, blues, and reds under certain conditions—depend on the type of gas involved and the altitude of the interaction. Over the past few weeks, the sun has produced a series of strong CMEs that have dramatically increased the chances of aurora sightings, even in places where they are rarely visible.

What makes this month exceptional is the unusual frequency and strength of the solar storms. We are currently approaching the peak of Solar Cycle 25, an 11-year period during which the sun’s activity rises and falls. Solar maximums, the high points in these cycles, are marked by increased sunspot activity, flares, and CMEs. Scientists have been anticipating this uptick in geomagnetic storms, but April has delivered a particularly vibrant sequence of events. The resulting auroras have not only been more vivid, but also more widespread, with reports of visibility in states and regions typically too far south to experience them—places like Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and northern France. These occurrences are rare, and when they cluster together like this, it reflects just how dynamic and unpredictable space weather can be.

Additionally, the Earth’s own magnetic field conditions have aligned in a way that has supported these displays. When a CME reaches Earth, the direction of the solar wind’s magnetic field is key—if it’s oriented southward, it interacts more directly with our northward-facing geomagnetic field, creating a stronger disturbance. During April, several of the CMEs struck with just such alignment, creating optimal conditions for auroras to form. The geomagnetic storms that followed reached levels classified as G3 or higher by NOAA, meaning they were strong enough to push the auroral oval—the ring around the magnetic pole where lights are typically seen—farther south than usual. The timing and intensity of these factors have converged to make this one of the most aurora-active months in recent memory.

Best Places to See the Northern Lights

Traditionally, the best places to view the Northern Lights are countries situated near or above the Arctic Circle. Regions like northern Norway, Iceland, Lapland in Finland, and parts of northern Canada and Alaska have built a reputation as prime destinations for aurora hunters. These locations fall within or near the auroral oval, the zone where geomagnetic activity tends to be strongest and most consistent. The lack of light pollution in many of these areas, combined with long, dark nights during fall and winter, creates ideal conditions for witnessing the phenomenon. Tourism in these regions often revolves around aurora viewing, with hotels offering glass-roofed cabins, specialized alert systems, and guided tours to maximize the chances of a successful sighting.

However, this month has seen the auroras pushing well beyond their usual haunts. Unusually strong solar storms have allowed people in much lower latitudes to witness the spectacle. Parts of the United Kingdom, Germany, and even some northern states in the U.S. like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Vermont have seen the sky briefly glow with color. For those in these areas, the key is to get away from artificial lights. Rural areas, national parks, and dark-sky reserves offer the best viewing conditions. Even a short drive away from a city can drastically improve visibility. When paired with a favorable aurora forecast and clear skies, these spots can become unexpected theaters for the Northern Lights.

For viewers planning a more intentional trip, elevation can add another layer of benefit. High-altitude locations with wide, unobstructed views of the northern horizon offer a better vantage point, as they’re less likely to suffer from atmospheric interference like fog or ground-level haze. While height isn’t a requirement, it can give those in more temperate zones a slightly better chance of catching the lights during periods of moderate activity. Add in a bit of luck and timing, and even regions not traditionally known for auroras can deliver an unforgettable display.

When Is the Best Time to See Them?

Auroras follow a schedule dictated by both cosmic forces and the Earth’s own rhythms. The months between September and April are generally the most aurora-active, with long, dark nights providing the right conditions for visibility. Within those months, nights surrounding the new moon tend to offer the clearest skies, since moonlight can wash out the delicate colors of the aurora. April, sitting at the tail end of the optimal season, has typically been quieter—but this year’s solar activity has extended the aurora window well beyond expectations. As a result, skywatchers who may have already packed away their gear for the season are now finding themselves getting one last chance to witness the lights before summer’s shorter nights return.

Time of night matters just as much as time of year. The best viewing hours are typically between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., though auroras can occasionally appear earlier or later depending on storm strength. During this period, the sky is at its darkest, and geomagnetic activity tends to peak. While auroras are not visible every night, even in ideal regions, space weather experts suggest checking geomagnetic forecasts regularly—especially during times of increased solar flare activity. The Kp-index, a global scale measuring geomagnetic disturbances from 0 to 9, is one of the most helpful tools. A Kp of 5 or more indicates conditions that could support aurora visibility in mid-latitudes, and anything above that suggests a major event.

It’s also important to watch for local weather conditions. Even a strong geomagnetic storm won’t matter if the sky is covered in clouds. Apps that combine aurora forecasts with real-time weather reports are especially helpful for planning. Flexibility is key—if skies are cloudy in your area, a short trip to a neighboring location with clearer skies might make the difference. For many aurora chasers, that combination of checking solar data, watching the clouds, and timing it just right becomes a ritual. And for those who catch it, the reward is worth every effort.

How to Maximize Your Chances of Seeing the Northern Lights

Success in aurora viewing often comes down to preparation and persistence. One of the most effective ways to increase your chances is to stay informed using real-time tracking tools. Websites like NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center and apps like Aurora Alerts or My Aurora Forecast provide up-to-the-minute updates on solar wind conditions, CME arrivals, and geomagnetic storm potential. These platforms often issue watches and warnings ahead of time, giving viewers a heads-up when a display might be visible—even in areas not typically known for it. By enabling push notifications or alerts tailored to your location, you can act quickly when conditions become favorable.

Location is just as crucial as timing. Light pollution is the biggest enemy of aurora visibility. City lights overpower the subtle hues of the aurora, leaving only the most intense displays barely visible. To get the best experience, you’ll need to find a dark, open area with a clear view of the northern horizon. This might mean driving an hour or more outside urban centers, but the payoff can be significant. Scenic overlooks, lake shores, and elevated rural roads often serve as ideal viewing spots. Many seasoned aurora chasers plan their locations ahead of time and have multiple backup options in case of sudden cloud cover or unexpected light sources.

Even with the best tools and perfect location, nature doesn’t always cooperate on schedule. Patience is often the most undervalued tool in an aurora hunter’s kit. It’s not uncommon to wait several hours, sometimes even multiple nights, before seeing anything. Bringing warm layers, a thermos of coffee or tea, and even folding chairs can make the wait more manageable. And when the lights finally do appear—shifting, pulsing, and rippling in silence—it often feels like a deeply personal encounter with the planet’s own atmospheric poetry. The effort it takes to witness that makes the moment all the more meaningful.