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.
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.
- GetYourGuide
Aurora chasing tours
Guided minibus & boat tours worldwide that drive you to the clearest, darkest skies on the night.
from ~€65 pp
See tonight's tours - Hotellook
Glass igloos & aurora cabins
Heated glass-roof rooms across Lapland, Iceland and the Arctic — watch the lights from bed.
from ~€180 / night
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.
from ~€40 / day
Compare cars - SafetyWing
Cover the trip
Aurora trips are remote, cold and weather-dependent — travel medical cover from a few dollars a day.
from ~$1.50 / day
Get covered