If you hope to see the Northern Lights in February, you’re in luck. February is an optimum time to see the Northern Lights because, typically, the skies are clearer in the deep winter, and the nights are long and dark—all essential conditions for optimal Northern Lights viewing.
While seeing the Northern Lights in particular places in the Northern Hemisphere isn’t uncommon, it can be unpredictable. After all, you’re relying on the collision of charged particles from the sun with the Earth’s atmosphere to create the dazzling display of colors. And just like anything that depends on Mother Nature, a sighting can’t be guaranteed.
The countries at the best latitude to view the Northern Lights (around 60 and 75 degrees) include the Scandinavian region, the northern reaches of the USA, and Canada. Each destination offers a distinct experience, whether unusual accommodations, exciting winter activities, or the chance to spot arctic wildlife. This guide explores some of the best places to see the Northern Lights in February and what else to expect when you take an Aurora Borealis adventure.
Sweden
You’ll want to be near the Arctic Circle in Swedish Lapland to maximize your chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Sweden. Look for adventures that visit Luleå, the largest city in Swedish Lapland, to use as a springboard for wintery adventures in this frozen region, such as snowmobiling, ice fishing, and cross-country skiing. A five-hour drive north lies Abisko, a small mountain village home to the Aurora Sky Station, perfectly positioned in an area renowned for its cloud-free skies and fresh, clean air. Here, you can take a chairlift up Mount Nuolja, where a lookout tower positions you perfectly to see the Northern Lights erupting. There’s also a restaurant serving Nordic cuisine as you gaze outwards and hope the Aurora will appear.
Jukkasjävi is where you’ll find the famous and fantastic ICEHOTEL, built from colossal ice blocks from a nearby river. It welcomes travelers for memorable nights surrounded by ice every winter, and then the hotel melts away every spring. At night in the deepest winter, you can venture out to the nearby wilderness in search of the aurora, learning how to photograph the Northern Lights to capture the full intensity of the Northern Lights colors that the human eye can’t always witness.
Norway
If you’re wondering where to see the Northern Lights in Norway, you’ll need to head to the northern reaches. The Lofoten Islands are well known for vivid displays of dancing lights, and the Svalbard archipelago that sits halfway between Norway and the North Pole is a fragile and barren landscape perfectly positioned on the globe to see the Aurora—and maybe a few polar bears, too.
Many travelers searching for the Northern Lights in Norway use the northern city of Tromsø as the gateway to their wintertime adventures. After all, spotting the Northern Lights isn’t the only thing waiting for you in the far reaches of Norway. You can learn more about the indigenous people, the Sami, and listen to their ancient songs, or head out onto the icy waters of the Barents Sea to fish for migrating Atlantic cod. You’ll often find seafood on the menu in northern Norway’s restaurants, which typically champion deliciously fresh, simple, and local food.
Finland
Not only is Finland an incredible place to see the Northern Lights because of its dark and clear skies, but it also boasts a selection of one-of-a-kind places to stay while you’re there. At the Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi, travelers can stay in nest-like abodes in the treetops and, when night falls, witness the aurora directly from the suites. If you’re looking for a truly exceptional experience on your adventure, look out for Aurora Bubbles, domes, glass cabins, and snow igloos dotted across the landscape in magical Lapland, designed for viewing the Northern Lights from bed. Perhaps you’ll see the commonly sighted emerald swathes, or you might be lucky and spot a rare red aurora—all it takes is a little more nitrogen in the thermosphere. Whatever colors the sky treats you to, typically, the Northern Lights appear every other clear night in Finnish Lapland between September and March, so you’re in with an excellent chance of spotting the Northern Lights in Lapland in February.
Iceland
Iceland is among the best destinations to see the Northern Lights in February. But seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland is often a welcome bonus on a trip that focuses on other Icelandic highlights, such as the Golden Circle—a collection of famous landmarks on a scenic route through Iceland. The Golden Circle comprises the active Geysir geyser, Thingvellir National Park (where tectonic plates drift apart), and the thundering Gullfoss glacial waterfall. Many Northern Lights adventures in Iceland incorporate the Golden Circle.
Another wonderful experience to combine with spotting the Northern Lights in Iceland in February is a visit to the Blue Lagoon. Travelers submerge themselves in geothermal seawater enriched with silica, algae, and mineral salt. Then, at night, you can choose to be roused by a special Northern Lights alarm, which sounds when there’s a sighting. Around the Blue Lagoon, there is little light pollution to dampen the display, so when the aurora appears, it’s typically a magnificent show.
Canada
You don’t have to venture to northern Europe to see the Northern Lights in February. There are some fantastic locations to watch the display in North America. While it’s possible to see the Northern Lights across the whole of Canada in winter, heading north increases your chances of a truly great sighting. In the Northwest Territories, the Northern Lights can be seen for around 240 nights a year, and with February bringing optimal viewing conditions, you’re unlikely to be disappointed if you want to witness a dazzling display. There’s an atmospheric teepee village outside Yellowknife designed primarily for viewing the Northern Lights, where you can lie back on heated, sleigh-style seats that swivel 360 degrees.
USA
While it’s possible to see the Northern Lights as far south as the USA-Canada border, Fairbanks and Denali National Park in Alaska are two of the best-known and most reliable places to spot the Northern Lights in February in the USA. Fairbanks sits at 65-degree latitude in an area known as the ‘aurora oval,’ what NASA describes as the footprint in the atmosphere of the boundary between the highly stretched field lines of the polar cap. Essentially, it’s a loop around the North Pole known for frequent appearances by the Northern Lights. Because it’s an area almost entirely free of light pollution, the stargazing is also fantastic, even if the Aurora Borealis doesn’t appear.
