But we hope to shed light (no pun intended) on the subject for you because any investment in the experience becomes priceless once you see them.ĭisclosure: There are affiliate links in this post, which means we may earn a small commission if you click the link and proceed with a purchase, at no cost to you. All these things together mean you need an expert guide who has years of experience with the land and “chasing” the lights. It’s hard to know the value of an organized tour before you get to Tromso and understand the rugged landscape, ice and snow, and darkness winter brings. It’s essential to sign up for the tour we recommend to see them and because otherwise you could miss them! And that would be a shame, knowing that “seeing the Northern Lights” is a key reason so many visitors flock to Tromso during winter. Compact cameras and basic smartphone cameras are unlikely to be good enough to capture the lights, but do check if your device has a fireworks mode, which often helps.One of the best ways to experience the magic of Aurora Borealis is to take an organized Tromso Norway Northern Lights tour. To capture the lights on film, select a long shutter speed and a low aperture. You will likely be standing in the snow for several hours, after all. Layers of thin clothing, preferably at least one wool, with a thick winter coat, are essential, as are gloves, hat, warm socks, and winter boots. When it comes to clothing, pick function over fashion. Many head to the shores of the Prestvannet lake at the top of Tromsøya island, or to the quiet beaches on Kvaløya island. Although good displays can be enjoyed from the city center, fainter displays will be harder to see because of the light pollution from the city. Tromsø is one of the world’s best cities for northern lights spotting. When you have found a good day and a good cloud-free location, head to high ground as far away from city lights as possible. Contrary to popular belief, the lights are “on” year-round but cannot be seen unless it is pitch black. The winter months tend to be too cloudy, while in the summer it simply doesn’t get dark enough. The best times of year to see the northern lights in Norway are September-October and February-March. For weather, Norwegian website YR has a reliable cloud-cover forecast. The Aurora Service produces hourly aurora forecasts on its website using real-time solar wind data from NASA, but also daily and three-day advance forecasts. Tromsø is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. Just as important is the weather forecast-although it might seem that you can reach out and touch the lights, any cloud cover will make the aurora impossible to see. Check the Norway aurora forecast a day or so prior to your trip and be flexible if the forecast is low.
To increase your chances, it’s all about your location. Many people prefer the DIY option when it comes to hunting the northern lights. Recommendations from the African Diaspora.Workman Publishing Arrow Icon Arrow icon.Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Arrow Icon Arrow icon.Little, Brown and Company Arrow Icon Arrow icon.Hachette Nashville Arrow Icon Arrow icon.Grand Central Publishing Arrow Icon Arrow icon.