If you are looking for the best time to visit iceland, you cannot ignore the time period from late may to early september. Iceland is not the destination for those of you who want a snowcovered, winter wonderland with dog sledding and reindeer, it leaves those attractions to finland, sweden, and norway. When driving around iceland, keep an eye on the weather and aurora. Aurora iceland how to see the northern lights in iceland advice on where, when and how to see the northern lights aurora borealis in iceland, settings for photographing it, and a diary of recent observations. The map is updated daily and gives you an indication of northern lights viewing. During the summer months of may, june and july it is just too bright to see them in the far northland. Darkness winter only clear skies no clouds aurora activity northern lights todays cloud coverage and satellite images of the aurora. In september of 2015, one of our travellers snapped some northern lights photos. In a fifteen year period tourism numbers may have tripled, but in reality there were only 600,000 more tourists that visited iceland in 2015 than in 2000. It is a life changing experience that will leave your heart pounding and your soul elevated.
Jun 07, 2016 the game of thrones effect has been cited as a key factor behind the remarkable growth in annual visitors to iceland, from 566,000 in 2011, the year it premiered, to more than 1 million in 2015. I would like to plan a trip for this coming december 2015. And hulu will add full seasons of doctor who season eight, youre the worst season one and csi season 15, nearly completing the series after hulu added the first 14 seasons of csi in april. Its a little confusing as the green colour is very similar to the colour of the actual northern lights but in fact the map shows green as cloud coverage and white as. Aurora borealis season in northern polar latitudes alaska, northern canada, greenland, iceland, norway, sweden, finland and siberia runs from augustthruapril. Northern lights forecast for iceland aurora borealis. Because geomagnetic activity is higher during spring and autumn, aurora season is therefore beginning in both hemispheres. Use the slider at the bottom of the graphic to adjust the date and time of the forecast. Jul 23, 2014 the best time to see the northern lights in iceland.
Our holidays in iceland follow the aurora season and so they kick off in late septemberearly october and are available until the end of march. Northern lights in iceland winter may be the coldest time to visit iceland, but one of the biggest draws during this time of year is the chance to see the aurora borealis, or the northern lights. Iceland is ideal for trade and investment in many business sectors. Iceland aurora is a nonnarrative timelapsed film featuring the aurora borealis and the unique scenery of iceland. The dark winter nights from september to april, tingle with the electrifying prospect of seeing the auoroa borealis, while the warming influence of the gulf stream means iceland enjoys much warmer weather during the. Dominated by the snow capped peak of a 1,446mtall volcano, the snaefellsnes peninsula has blacksand beaches, blowholes and basalt sea stacks. The best time to see the northern lights in iceland is from october to march. Some companies even offer sailing trips out to sea where you can watch them, which is an amazing experience. See the northern lights in iceland the aurora zone. Northern lights are visible in iceland for about eights months a year, from the. My interest in the aurora has grown exponentially over this. May through june, is the perfect time to witness the natural phenomenon known as the midnight sun, a beautiful natural event for which all scandinavian countries are popularly known for.
One of the crew pointed out to me the shimmering pale streaks high in the sky, that i never would have otherwise realised was the northern lights. Furthermore, relax and enjoy the warm and soothing waters of the blue lagoon. If theres sunlight or moonlight, the aurora is dim. Even without the northern lights, iceland is an otherworldly place to. Secondly, driving in iceland in winter can be quite stressful, which, considering most travellers are seeking to unwind on holiday, may mean this isnt the option for you. Not just for whale enthusiasts or aurora seekers, this holiday is a perfect opportunity to enjoy some of icelands most dramatic scenery. The best season to see the northern lights in iceland is from september to.
The ultimate guide to the northern lights in iceland. Mar 26, 2016 northern lights timelapse and realtime video of season 2015 2016 auroras at yllas area in lapland, finland. Aurora forecast for iceland aurora forecasts icelandic. Icelands most spectacular game of thrones filming locations. We had the opportunity to photograph a spectacular aurora show. Watch iceland aurora online vimeo on demand on vimeo. The forecast of auroral activity at midnight, scale 0 to 9, is shown in the upperright box. Nov 19, 2015 then northern lights, the aurora borealis in iceland. Tony and iceland aurora tours exceeded my expectations. The northern lights aurora borealis is by far one of the most amazing natural phenomenon to witness on our planet. He and his family including 6 teenagers from a nearby birthday party were outdoors at sunset on sept 7th when a solar wind gust hit earths magnetic field. Today is the beginning of both northern autumn and southern spring. Iceland northern lights holidays located within the auroral oval, iceland is a superb destination to see the northern lights. Regardless, renting a car and hunting for the northern lights remains an excellent option for the ambitious and adventurous.
If you are on a short trip or want to base in icelands capital city, then spending the day with our photo guide at a good selection of photographic hotspots could be an excellent investment. Shot in more than fifty locations, the filmmakers spent one hundred and thirty nights over three years chasing green, purple and pink northern lights, as well as sunsets, sunrises, nocturnal clouds, starry skies, city scenes and barren moonlit landscapes. As for iceland last april, there are nightly forecasts for whether the northern lights will be active or subtle, as well as. Since 2015, i have spent portions of the winter in iceland. If you are on a short trip or want to base in iceland s capital city, then spending the day with our photo guide at a good selection of photographic hotspots could be an excellent investment. Hi rob we visited iceland for a week in april 2015, and have had to scrap our plans for a norway trip in april 2016, so norway remains on our wish list. How to see the northern lights in iceland cnn travel. Iceland northern lights holidays discover the world. Even the teens were excited, says rick thayer of hadley, massachusetts. Northern lights, ice caving, glacier hiking and more. Iceland offers plenty to do in spring, fall, even winter, and prices are dramatically lower for airfares, car rentals, and accommodations. The best places in europe to see the northern lights. Move the slider below the cloud cover map, or click directly on a day or time.
The aurora borealis is seen in the dark winter months over iceland, best seen outside of the capital city, reykjavik. Nov 25, 2014 iceland aurora is a nonnarrative timelapse film which captures the mesmerising aurora borealis and the unique scenery of iceland. The northern lights aurora borealis guide to iceland. Note that since the island is small, climatic changes are quick to set in. My main purpose of the trip is to chase the northern lights. Then northern lights, the aurora borealis in iceland. It is almost unfair that one country has volcanoes, glaciers, hot springs and a great aurora record. Many icelanders think the summer tourists dont know what theyre missing. Iceland is far up north and has a low level of light pollution, making it one of the best countries for aurora viewing. Featured here is a dramatic video that captured some impressive pulsating auroras in midmarch over svinafellsjokull glacier in iceland. Combined with the cloud forecast, it will give you clues on where the northern lights are likely to be seen. November is a good month however you are only staying for 3 days and that.
You can also monitor space weather at noaas space environment. One day tours our one day tours are designed to maximise your photography during a short stay in iceland, or to compliment other tours. Iceland winter tours iceland winter travel extreme iceland. The best time to see the northern lights in iceland. Its countryside location is one of the best in iceland for keen aurora hunters. To see the northern lights with your naked eye, you need. Hii am visiting iceland on 11th december and hiring a 4x4. There are so many beautiful places in the east where you can take great photos of. This month marks a very important season for icelandic tourism. Sep 06, 2015 in a fifteen year period tourism numbers may have tripled, but in reality there were only 600,000 more tourists that visited iceland in 2015 than in 2000. South coast, ice cave tour, northern lights and jokulsarlon glacier. This is the 4th of 7 chapters, iceland aurora chapter 4 on vimeo.
Northern lights outshine icelands tourism industry. His knowledge of iceland gave us the advantage to see and photograph some of the most interesting landscapes locations. Although i plan to be around reykjavik, i am really keen to travel east and possibly north. I saw my first aurora while working on a ship far out to sea to the north of the shetland islands during 2003. In the winter, not too many people are there, especially at night, so you could have this wonderful area to yourself. Hotel ranga this 4 star ranch style hotel has exceptional surroundings, with some of its rooms overlooking the east ranga river. The darkest months of december, january, and february are the best time to visit for this natural phenomenon, but the season lasts from october to april. Jokulsarlon is one of icelands most popular attractions. The list of bucket list experiences available on this northerly island is staggering and we have tried to incorporate as many as we possibly can into our dedicated aurora hunting holidays in iceland.
Capturing one of the strongest aurora storm of 2015 in iceland. Aurora iceland how to see the northern lights in iceland. Although this unusual behavior has been known for a long time, the cause remains an active topic of research. The 7 best places to see the northern lights and southern lights. Aug 26, 2015 because it tells us the northern lights aurora borealis were extremely active last night. Iceland a national geographic staffer reveals her most memorable momentsincluding frosty glaciers and lovely lagoonsin this beautiful wilderness. The northern lights, also called aurora borealis, and nor. Iceland has a concentrated tourist season, peaking from midjune through august. There are forecasts predicting visibility at vedur. Catch the northern lights hover over this beautiful glacial lagoon. Many of the hotels we use are in prime auroraviewing locations and many offer an aurora wakeup service, so you wont miss a thing should the lights make an appearance. Aurora hunting in december iceland forum tripadvisor. Iceland is not as chilly as it sounds, but it can become very cold in both summer and winter when the polar winds blow. What to know for seeing the northern lights in iceland.
Please note these changes frequently and is most reliable at about 6 pm of the current day. The best time to see the northern lights in iceland northern. The ultimate guide to northern lights in reykjavik aurora borealis. Icelands dynamic, original cultural scene is inspired by its unique nature. Iceland is around 64 north, making it the ideal destination for northern lights displays. Best time to visit iceland best season for iceland. The aurora borealis was one of my had to photograph dreams. The best season to see the northern lights in iceland is from september to midapril these are the months where there are full dark nights. The official aurora season in iceland is from october till march but like with so many other things that have to do with icelandic nature its not. Having your own wheels in iceland is a wonderful treat.
You can determine if theres enough solar activity and low cloud cover for optimal conditions by checking the aurora forecast and cloud cover forecast. Best time to visit iceland best season for iceland ideal. Although it might be pitch dark and high aurora activity, the clouds could. Charge your batteries and put on your warmest clothes aurora season has begun. Shot during nights over the span of 3 years in over 50 locations in iceland, it is composed of 7 chapters, each with its own distinct visual theme. Aurora prediction and northern lights forecast aurora hunter. Northern lights aurora borealis in iceland, land of the sagas. Iceland allows you to combine an incredible number of natural wonders in a short space of time. The northern lights, or the aurora borealis, is a breathtaking natural phenomenon that shows unearthly colors in the night sky above the snowy arctic wilderness. The otherworldly aurora borealis, or northern lights, begin high in the. The northern lights season runs from 1st september, through winter, until 15th april, typically. South coast, ice cave tour, northern lights and jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.
Green areas are cloudy and white areas clear skies. This is something you wont see in the summer the nordic lights. Iceland is a magical place, especially during the northern lights season. Northern lights are visible in iceland for about eights months a year, from the early september to late april. From reykjavik there are several routes for an 812 hour tour with. Iceland aurora photo tours iceland with a photo guide. Because it tells us the northern lights aurora borealis were extremely active last night.
Northern lights tours and vacations in iceland icelandair. However, the sheer fact that it is possible to see northern lights in this eightmonth period doesnt mean that theyre always visible. If we focus only on the statistics, there are four months where the. Iceland originally planned to utilise the short as the television advertisement for christmas season that year, and it was an extension to the earlier palm oil reduction drive. The game of thrones effect has been cited as a key factor behind the remarkable growth in annual visitors to iceland, from 566,000 in 2011, the year it premiered, to more than 1 million in 2015. The spectacle of aurora borealis requires dark and partly clear skies.
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