Month guide · Prime season
Can you see the northern lights in March?
The equinox month — peak geomagnetic activity, milder nights.
The northern lights in March
March is many people's favourite. The spring equinox brings a real, measurable uptick in geomagnetic activity (the Russell–McPherron effect), so storms come more often, while the nights are still long enough and a few degrees milder. Twilight is longer, so displays start a little later, but the trade in comfort and activity is well worth it.
What about the southern lights?
Autumn begins in the south, and the aurora australis season opens — the same equinox boost favours Tasmania, southern New Zealand and Patagonia. The aurora is the same phenomenon in both hemispheres — see where the aurora reaches for the full north-and-south picture.
Best for
Storm-chasers — the highest odds of an active night, in tolerable cold. For the day-by-day odds anywhere on Earth, use the live forecast; for the bigger seasonal picture, see the best time to see the northern lights.
Plan the trip
Tours, stays and wheels
Some links below are paid affiliate links. If you book a tour, reserve a stay or buy gear through them, we may earn a commission — it never costs you anything extra and helps keep the forecast free.
- Klook
Aurora chasing tours
Guided minibus & boat tours worldwide that drive you to the clearest, darkest skies on the night.
See tonight's tours - Booking.com
Glass igloos & aurora cabins
Heated glass-roof rooms across Lapland, Iceland and the Arctic — watch the lights from bed.
Find stays - Discover Cars
Rent a car to chase clear skies
Self-drive away from town glow to the dark-sky spots. Compare every local supplier in one place.
Compare cars - SafetyWing
Cover the trip
Aurora trips are remote, cold and weather-dependent — travel medical cover from a few dollars a day.
Get covered