Fairbanks Northern Lights

Fairbanks sits close to the centre of the auroral oval - the ring around the magnetic pole where the aurora is most frequent - which means displays occur on a high proportion of clear, dark nights rather than only during major solar events. Its interior position also gives it drier, clearer winter weather than the coastal cities. The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute publishes a daily aurora forecast used across the state. Viewing means being out between roughly ten in the evening and three in the morning, away from city light, in temperatures that regularly reach minus thirty. Chena Hot Springs, about an hour out, is a common base. Late August to April is the dark season; midsummer has no darkness at all.

What you actually see

• A position under the auroral oval - displays on most clear dark nights.
• Drier interior winter skies - clearer than the coastal cities.
• A published daily forecast - from the university's Geophysical Institute.
• Viewing from late evening to early morning - at severe temperatures.

When to go

Late August to April; midwinter has the longest dark hours. Several nights.

Honest expectations

Cloud beats everything - allow several nights, not one. Temperatures of minus thirty are routine and cameras and phones fail in them. Midsummer has no aurora season at all because there is no darkness. Tours run late and cost.

Nearby

Chena Hot Springs is east; Denali is south.