Are you wondering how to see the Northern Lights in 2025? If so, you are not alone. With the aurora forecast looking extremely promising this winter, now is the perfect time to plan your Northern Lights trip. This comprehensive guide will help you choose the best time and place, understand the science behind the aurora, and prepare for an unforgettable journey across Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
2025: a peak year for Northern Lights viewing
We are currently in the solar maximum phase of Solar Cycle 25, a period of heightened solar activity that occurs roughly every 11 years. Although the peak occurred in early 2025, solar activity is expected to remain strong throughout the rest of the year and into 2026.
Why does this matter for aurora hunting? Increased solar activity means a higher chance of geomagnetic storms, which produce stronger and more frequent auroras. In May 2024, we witnessed one of the most powerful geomagnetic storms in over 20 years, with auroras visible far beyond the Arctic Circle. On the Hello Aurora app, users reported seeing the Northern Lights as far south as Romania, Poland, and southern France in Europe, as well as in parts of the United States and even northern Mexico. It was a rare and historic display, highlighting the incredible power of space weather during the solar maximum.