Month guide · Prime season
Can you see the northern lights in September?
The autumn equinox — high activity, mild nights, mirror-still water.
The northern lights in September
September is a star month. The autumn equinox brings the same geomagnetic boost as March, the nights are now genuinely dark, and the weather is mild with autumn colour and unfrozen lakes for reflections. It is less crowded and far more comfortable than mid-winter, with excellent odds — arguably the best all-round time to head north.
What about the southern lights?
Spring equinox in the south — a strong, boosted window before the southern season winds down. The aurora is the same phenomenon in both hemispheres — see where the aurora reaches for the full north-and-south picture.
Best for
Comfort plus activity — the best balance of the whole year. 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