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The Best Period to See the Northern Lights in Tromsø

In the past 15 years, seeing the Northern Lights has become a bucket-list dream for many travelers around the world. Social media and improved camera technology have made it easier than ever to capture their magic and share it widely.

Thanks to its location directly under the auroral oval, Tromsø offers some of the best chances in the world to witness the Aurora Borealis in all its beauty. But even in the perfect location, success is not guaranteed.

Which are the factors to consider when choosing the period for our Arctic adventure, in order to avoid long, fruitless nights and a bittersweet trip home, and maximize the chances of seeing the Northern Lights?

Light and Darkness

Let’s start with something that might seem obvious: you can’t see the Northern Lights in Tromsø during summer. But not because they don’t happen—they do! The problem is that there’s simply no darkness. From mid-April to mid-August, the Midnight Sun or the “midnight twilight” make it impossible to see auroras, even if they’re dancing above your head.

Bottom line: you can’t see light against light.

Many people tend to associate the Northern Lights with snow and deep winter. But real nighttime darkness—what we need to see a sharp, vivid aurora—starts returning already in late August, building gradually as twilight gets darker day by day. There’s no exact switch, but by early September, we get 1–2 hours of full darkness each night.

Here’s how darkness evolves:

  • Early October: Night lasts approx. from 20:00 to 06:00

  • Early November: Approx from 17:00 to 07:00

  • December 21st (Winter Solstice): Approx from ~15:30 to 09:30

  • Early February: Approx from 17:30 to 08:00

  • Late March: Approx from 21:00 to 04:00

  • Mid-April: Last nights with decent darkness

  • Late April onward: Too bright for any chance

So, does that mean we’re more likely to see the Aurora in late December, since it’s the darkest time of the year?

Not necessarily. Tromsø is under the auroral oval mainly in the evening hours, meaning we’re most likely to see Northern Lights between 18:00 and midnight. The further you move away from this time window, the lower your chances get.

From mid-September to late March, there’s enough evening darkness to provide good chances—assuming there’s auroral activity.

Solar Activity: Does Timing Matter?

Not much. While the equinoxes (around March 21st and September 21st) are statistically linked to slightly increased geomagnetic activity, the difference is usually not significant enough to influence your travel dates.

More importantly, auroral forecasts only go a few days ahead and aren’t reliable long-term. 

Since most people plan their trips weeks or months in advance, this is not a factor worth stressing over when booking.

The Weather: The Real Challenge

Auroras happen at 100 to 300 km altitude—far above any plane. That means:

  1. Wherever you are in the Tromsø region, you’re looking at the same aurora.

  2. Clouds are your worst enemy.

Most of the time when we don’t see the aurora, it’s not because it’s absent—it’s because the sky is overcast in the whole region. When this happens, finding even a small clear spot can be very difficult.

The weather forecast changes so quickly that you often won’t know whether the sky will be clear or cloudy until the very same day. This makes it impossible to make reliable predictions more than a day in advance—let alone weeks or months ahead.

So even though cloud cover is one of the most important factors for a successful aurora night, it’s simply not something you can plan around when booking your trip.

Freezing Winter or Mild Autumn?

While cold and snow don’t affect auroral activity, they do affect your experience.

  • Cold + wind can make it hard to stay outside long enough to wait for activity to pick up. The aurora might be out for hours, but often it’s quiet or faint—and if you’re inside warming up when the explosion happens, you’ll miss it.

  • Snow and ice can make it harder to reach ideal locations when hunting the Aurora, forcing us to stop near the main road (with car light pollution) and make walking around more difficult due to the risk of slipping on icy ground.

General tips:

  • Temperatures in the Tromsø region:

    • September: 0°C to +10°C

    • October: -5°C to 5°C

    • November: -10°C to 5°C

    • December: -15C° to 5°C

    • January–March: -25°C to 0°C

  • Snow:

    • Starts falling in October, but only sticks around December

    • By March: ~1 meter of snow on Tromsø island, even more inland

The earlier in the season you come, the milder and easier the conditions will be. But if you’re looking to experience the Arctic in its most authentic and dramatic form, winter is the best time to visit.

Full Moon or New Moon?

This is one of the most overlooked factors—but also one you can easily plan for.

The moon doesn’t affect auroral activity, but it does affect your viewing and photo experience.

  • New moon (and around that period):

    • Sky is very dark → better for your eyes to see shapes and colors clearly

    • But: it’s harder for cameras and phones to adapt to the absence of light, and the deep darkness makes the bright Aurora stand out too much in contrast.

    • Also: the scenery is harder to enjoy while driving in total darkness

  • Full moon (and around that period):

    • Spreads a lot of light pollution in the whole sky, making the aurora appear fainter to the naked eye

    • But: easier for cameras to capture balanced photos

    • Also: landscapes become magical under moonlight

The Arctic wilderness and the Northern Lights offer a completely different atmosphere depending on the moon phase during your visit. Decide what matters more to you: the magic you see with your eyes, or the way it’s captured on camera.

Final Thoughts

In May 2024, Earth was hit by the strongest geomagnetic storm in 20 years. The aurora was visible from places like Italy and Spain! Some people, hearing the forecast, booked last-minute tickets to Tromsø. Ironically, Tromsø was the only place in Europe where the aurora wasn’t visible—because there was no darkness. Just twilight.

Lesson learned: Don’t come too late in spring or too early in summer.

Instead, choose any time between mid-September and late March, based on your personal preferences:

  • Prefer mild weather? Try September or October

  • Want a snowy landscape? Come between January and March

  • Dream of moonlit fjords and easy photography? Check the moon phase calendar before you book

And once you’ve chosen the best time and made it to Tromsø, let a local expert guide you through the Arctic night!


I’ll be there to help you find the Green Lady—and to share that unforgettable moment with you.

Last updated: 14/08/2025