With comfortable weather (including the warmest temperatures of the year), long days and evenings dominated by the Midnight Sun, wildflowers in bloom and the entire place bursting with life, July is prime time in Denali. There’s no guarantee you’ll see the light show no matter how carefully you plan your trip. It’s a myth that you must travel to the state only during the deep winter, when darkness can last 16-18 hours per day. Have I seen lights in late August? Just so, can I see the northern lights in August? Mosquitoes are usually present in Denali from June through the end of July. Our choice is August 6th through 13th since my birthday falls during that week, but we are also considering late August, incase it is possible to view the Northern lights. Cairngorms National Park, Scotland. Just 150 miles south of the Arctic Circle, the city of Fairbanks is ideal for Northern Lights … Activities, lodges and tours are usually booked solid so be sure to plan well ahead if you're hoping to come in July. Yes, but not often and nothing like when we have winter skies. Alaska is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights, or aurora borealis, dancing overhead. It seems that the entire landscape turns from brown to green in only a few days at the beginning of June. Viewing a great aurora depends upon solar activity, cloud cover, moon phase and proximity to light pollution. The aurora actually occurs all year long, but the sky needs to be clear and dark to see it. the later in August you come to Alaska, the better your chances because you will have more hours of darkness for viewing. Here are a few planning tips. Our website uses cookies. Wildlife move into hibernation or low-activity modes, and some migrate to warmer climates. The northern lights, whose scientific name is aurora borealis, are a colorful light show that fills the sky with swirls and shades of color. Still, the Northern Lights are seen every year in August. May, surprisingly, is the driest month for this area. This is where the earth’s magnetic pole is consistently weak enough for the sun’s charged particles to enter the atmosphere. When is the best time to come to Alaska to see the Northern Lights? Even if this happens, you can enjoy the rest of your cruise vacation and look for other opportunities to experience the wonders of the Alaskan wilderness. As spring arrives, winter slowly lets go of its grip on the park! Can you see the northern lights from Anchorage? The Northern Lights can be seen from most places in Alaska at some point during the dark season between September and April, and there are many good viewing sites near Anchorage. Everyone can find something fun and enjoyable to do, from learning about the history and culture of the people who live there to watching the wildlife in its natural habitat. Views are best from September to … Hi friends in Alaska! My husband and I are about to plan a one-week trip to Alaska this August but are confused about which week to choose for the visit. Late spring is short but sweet in Denali. The Best Places to see the Northern Lights in Alaska. But conditions must be right! Updated February 2021, Best Places to see the Northern Lights in Alaska was originally written in January 2020. Most people visit in the summer only, when lodges and tours are operating, and that's generally early June through mid-September. Fall foliage starts early in Denali, usually towards the end of August when the tundra turns a brilliant golden rose color. For the most part, it means that aurora viewing is going to be "very limited" anywhere north of Anchorage from mid-May until August. . Yes, you can see the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, from Anchorage - but not in the summer. For the most accurate forecast, we look to the University of Alaska Fairbanks’s Geophysical Institute . June is also the month that lodges in and around Denali, including Denali Backcountry Lodge and Denali Cabins open for the summer. It is also the best spot in the United States to see the northern lights, a show you don’t want to miss on your next Alaska cruise. The Perfect Plan for Seeing the Northern Lights. A weak solar cycle can make the aurora appear less dramatic. Snow on peaks and vivid colors make for outstanding photos and shorter days lead to great chances for seeing the Northern Lights. Lodges, outfitters, shuttle buses and campgrounds are all closed. Dress warmly and choose clothing you can wear in layers. By continuing to browse our site you are agreeing to our. You'll likely be dealing with mosquitoes as well, but they're a small nuisance compared to all this majesty! A full moon can steal the show. The Aurora Tracker is a one-of-a-kind tool for predicting the chances of seeing the northern lights during Aurora Season, August 21 - April 21 if traveling or in the Fairbanks, Alaska area. In the most intense Northern Lights area (notably Alaska, Iceland, Northern Scandinavia and Yukon), the lights are observed from late August to mid April. One of the best ways to experience Alaska is on a shore excursion. However, if we want to see the Northern Lights in Canada in August or another summer month, a high KP in the southern parts (still fewer hours of darkness) would give you the best chances to see Aurora Borealis. Autumn (August to October) As the summer winds down, days become shorter and cooler. This natural phenomenon takes place when charged particles from the sun enter the atmosphere and show up as shades of green, red, violet and white dancing in the night sky. https://www.carnival.com/cruise-to/alaska-cruises.aspx. My hubby and I are visiting via cruise ship in early August. If you enjoy watching snowy weather from inside a cabin, or love to layer up in warm winter clothes and explore beautiful trails and terrains, a trip to Alaska to see the Northern Lights should be on your radar as a future vacation destination. Nordic skiing, winter biking and snowshoeing are optional activities but temperatures can drop below -40 degrees F. Denali National Park sits in the heart of the jaw-dropping Alaska Range, and can range from a frozen winter wonderland to the perfect summer getaway. We enjoyed many months of the incredible midnight sun and now for the first time in over 90 days we are getting real sunsets that lead to … Our cancelation policy is more flexible than ever allowing you to cancel your trip up to 3 days before it begins. For many people, seeing the northern lights is a major bucketlist item. Wildflowers begin to bloom in June and can be seen through July. Northern lights can be seen at Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. The park begins to wrap things up. When you don't have nighttime because of 24 hours of daylight, you can't see any northern lights. From Mendenhall Glacier to Denali National Park, Alaska is a land of natural wonders. The dark, deep freeze of winter dominates Denali. Northern lights dance across the sky all year round, but we are able to see it only on a dark and clear night. We are just wondering if it may be possable to see the northern lights at this time of year? Some say June has the clearest weather. Wildlife activity peaks as animals are busy eating, moving and living as much as possible. You can further improve your likelihood of seeing aurora borealis by getting familiar with the numerous online northern lights activity trackers and by planning a trip with the right tour operator. The exact color depends on the type of gas the charged particles collide with in the atmosphere. Up in … Your best chance to see the lights is in the middle of the night, and you may wait for hours before catching a glimpse of the display. Pursuit is a collection of inspiring and unforgettable experiences in iconic places including Alaska, Montana, the Canadian Rockies, Vancouver, Reykjavík, Las Vegas (opening in 2021) and Toronto (opening in 2023). In the course of 12 months, it takes an extreme ride through the seasons. March and April can be cold and wet in Denali. Then, the annual Parks Service Road Lottery in mid-September allows some lucky folks to drive the Denali Park Road right before winter rolls in. Long days bring up to 20 hours of sunlight during June in Denali. Caused by supercharged solar particles colliding with the earth's atmosphere, these ethereal streamers of green, white, purple, blue and even red light draw awestruck travelers from all over the world. I know there is no guarantee of course but is it possable? https://www.visittheusa.com/experience/5-places-see-northern-lights-usa Wildlife are busy in July roaming, exploring, feeding, playing and soaking up the warmth as well. They’re elusive, require (usually expensive) travel to far northern latitudes (and southern too! We never stop searching for the places we're passionate about, connections we value and moments that bring us joy. But if you are coming in August to enjoy Alaska, the lights may be a bonus, but I wouldn't count or plan on it. Through this program, we will ensure that everyone feels safe at our experiences so that the power of our places can shine through. Read Time – 4 Mins & 10 Secs. The best window to see the Aurora is from late-September until mid-April when the sky is at its darkest. Although the light show has been visible as far south as Hawaii, getting closer to the Arctic Circle gives you the best odds of catching it. Because days are shorter, you've got a better chance of seeing the Northern Lights in late August. In short, the Northern Lights can be seen all year round in Canada, but much easier during winter. ), and difficult to predict. Pursuit's Safety Promise is our commitment to the safety and well-being of our guests and staff. A cloudy sky may block the view. Because days are shorter, you've got a better chance of seeing the Northern Lights in late August. 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