Locations / United States / Alaska
Fairbanks
Inland Alaska: cold, dry, and under the oval more nights than almost anywhere in North America.
Next nine nights
Aurora in Fairbanks
Fairbanks sits at a high geomagnetic latitude, far inland, which combines frequent aurora with a dry continental climate and many clear nights. It is regularly cited as one of the best places in North America to see the northern lights.
Winters are very cold, and ice fog can form in the town itself, so many people head to a dark site north of town. Hot springs and dedicated viewing lodges are popular places to wait for the aurora in comfort.
For the verdict, this location uses the same Kp and cloud model as the Norwegian sites. Note that our cloud data comes from the Norwegian Meteorological Institute’s global model, which is less detailed here than over Scandinavia.
Season
Late August to mid April.
At a glance
- Latitude
- 64.84° N
- Geomagnetic latitude
- ≈ 65° N
- Known for
- Inland climate, frequent clear skies
- Time zone
- AKST / AKDT
Getting there
Fairbanks International Airport has flights via Anchorage and Seattle.
Tips for Fairbanks
- Dress for −30 °C even if the forecast looks mild; hand and foot warmers are cheap insurance.
- Camera batteries drain quickly in the cold. Keep spares inside your jacket.
- A dark site off the Steese or Elliott Highway beats anywhere in town.
Clear sky first, Kp second.
Our verdict weighs cloud at 65% and geomagnetic activity at 35%. What is Kp? · Where the cloud forecast comes from
Other places
Tromsø
—The aurora capital of the world, on an island you can reach by direct flight.
Alta
—Drier skies, deep winter, and the birthplace of aurora science.
Lofoten
—Jagged peaks and red fishing huts under a green sky.
Abisko
—A rain shadow beside a frozen lake, reputed to be one of the clearest places in Europe.
Rovaniemi
—On the Arctic Circle, with snow, huskies and glass igloos.
Reykjavík
—Aurora from a capital city, with lava fields and geothermal pools a short drive away.
Yellowknife
—Under the oval, with a reputation for clear, still nights.